Placepoint

Regional plan

A regional plan is the county authority's own planning tool at regional level. The plan can cover land use in all or part of the county, or it can address a specific theme that needs coordination across sector and municipal boundaries. Examples are climate and energy, transport, public health, outdoor recreation and business development.

The legal basis is the Planning and Building Act (plan- og bygningsloven) section 8-1 onwards (chapter 8). At least once in each electoral term, every county authority must draw up a regional planning strategy that describes development trends and which regional plans are to be started. The plan itself is adopted by the county council after a broad consultation process involving municipalities, national sector authorities, businesses and voluntary organisations. In special cases, the plan can be supplemented by a regional planning provision that temporarily prohibits measures that conflict with the plan.

A regional plan is not directly legally binding on the individual landowner, but it must form the basis for municipal planning and for the activities of national and county authorities in the region. This means that a municipality plan or zoning plan that conflicts with a regional plan can quickly trigger an objection from the county authority or the affected sector authority. The ministry has overall responsibility for the planning system and can also set national planning guidelines that give direction to both regional and municipal planning.

The difference from the municipality plan is the level and the legal effect: the land use element of the municipality plan is legally binding on the individual property, while a regional plan steers through guidelines and expectations further up the planning system. For property developers, regional plans are relevant as background documents in large planning cases, especially where the project sits in a regional corridor or thematic area, or where the municipality refers to a regional plan when explaining its own land use choices.

From Placepoint's glossary: Regional plan

More information: Lovdata: Planning and Building Act section 8-1, Regjeringen: Regional planning, Store norske leksikon: regional plan

English: Regional master plan (per plan- og bygningsloven).

Common questions we come across

What is a regional plan?

A regional plan is an overarching land use plan drawn up by the county council that covers themes or areas across municipal boundaries within the county. It gives guidance for municipal plans.

What do regional plans deal with?

Regional plans deal with themes such as transport, retail, climate and energy, coastal areas and urban development, where coordination across municipalities is needed.

Is a regional plan legally binding?

A regional plan is not directly legally binding on the individual landowner, but it gives direction to municipal planning. Municipalities must use regional plans as a basis for their own planning.

Where do I find regional plans?

You find regional plans on the county authorities' websites and in the planning registers. They are relevant background documents in large development cases, especially where there are cross-municipal considerations.

What is the difference between a regional plan and a municipality plan?

A regional plan is overarching and regional. The municipality plan is the municipality's plan for its own territory and is legally binding through its land use element. The zoning plan is the most detailed plan.