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Planning and Transport

The NWDA’s Planning Unit helps to shape and deliver national, regional and local policies for planning, housing, transport and the physical environment, in order to implement the Regional Economic Strategy.

Our work includes:

  • Contributing to the preparation of the Regional Economic Strategy, Regional Spatial Strategy, Regional Transport Strategy and Regional Housing Strategy 
  • Shaping supportive policy for all modes of transport – road, rail, sea and air 
  • Delivering consultation responses on major planning applications in the Agency’s role as a Statutory Consultee 
  • Shaping emerging policy in Local Development Frameworks and Local Transport Plans through consultation processes, as well as research and evidence generation 
  • Providing planning support for the delivery of the Agency’s strategic regional sites 
  • Developing proactive policy frameworks and research studies to take forward a wide range of regeneration and environmental projects 
  • Delivering professional planning and transport planning advice to our Agency colleagues

LTP2 Guidance Note

 

North West Productivity Rail Study

Consultant’s Colin Buchanan, in association with Volterra, were commissioned by Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) in conjunction with Network Rail and the Regional Leaders Forum to carry out a study on the potential wider economic benefits (WEBs) of a selected number of rail investment schemes in the region.  WEBs are playing an increasingly important role in transport appraisal.

The study highlights those schemes which have economic benefits beyond those measured through traditional transport appraisal techniques.  The results of this work will be used to strengthen the case for investment in rail schemes which relieve capacity constraints into growing city regions and which link key city centres within the region.

Download the North West Productivity Rail Study


NW Infrastructure Study

EKOS, supported by Utilities Consultancy and Engineering Ltd (UCE) were appointed by NWDA in partnership with the North West Regional Assembly (now 4NW) and Environment Agency to undertake a study into issues and constraints relating to utilities infrastructure in the Northwest.

The report found that utilities infrastructure and capacity is a key concern for both the public and the private sector in the Northwest, in terms of delivering economic development and regeneration objectives. The report outlines the key issues and emerging conclusions relating to infrastructure and infrastructure constraints in the region.

The findings and conclusions are those of the consultants alone. NWDA is considering the report.

Download the NW Intrastructure Study

Investing in England's Northwest (link opens in a new window)