Joint Ministerial Statement
Conclusion

25. This Statement seeks to ensure that decisions on planning applications are properly made within the context of the new directions set by the Regional Development Strategy and other prevailing regional planning policy. It clarifies the weight to be attached to emerging development plans in making planning decisions and in so doing it seeks to ensure that such plans will fulfil the statutory requirement to be in general conformity with the RDS.

JOHN SPELLAR, MP
Minister for Regional Development

ANGELA SMITH, MP
Minister for Environment