The Regional Planning Context

Over 6.7 million people live in the North West of England, spread over the five counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

Each local authority produces development plans based on the Regional Planning Guidance for the North West.

The North West Regional Assembly, formed in 1997, is a partnership of public, private, voluntary and community sectors, providing a forum for discussing regional issues and working to promote the economic, environmental and social well being of the region.

The NorthWest Regional Development Agency is responsible for the regeneration and economic development of the region. The NWDA provides strategic leadership, programmes and funding concentrating on five main areas, Business Development, Regeneration, Skills & Employment, Infrastructure and Image, working with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector partners.