The publication of the South West regional spatial strategy (RSS) is being delayed while the government waits to see if the recent successful legal challenge against the East of England Plan affects it.

The strategy had been due to be issued by the end of June but this week the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) wrote to all the region’s local authorities to explain the latest position.

GOSW said that it needs to wait for the full written judgement on the East of England Plan case to allow it to consider the potential implications for the South West strategy.

Last month the High Court gave an oral judgement that Eastern plan failed to meet requirement of the EU environmental law after a challenge by Hertfordshire and St Albans councils.

GOSW regional director Jon Bright said: "It is not possible to set a new timetable until the implications of the judgement have been clarified and what action is required if any."

If the South West RSS contains policies that are thought to breach the EU strategic environmental assessment directive more work may need to be done, which would cause further delay.

It has already been eight months since the government’s consultation on the proposed changes to the RSS closed and ministers have admitted it has taken longer to finalise because of the huge number of consultation responses – around 35,000.

Local authorities in Dorset have also threatened to launch a judicial review when the South West RSS is published over housing numbers.

The strategy is the last to be finalised apart from the one for the West Midlands, which is currently going through examination.

Chairman of the Strategic Leaders’ Board, Cllr Angus Campbell, said: "The delay to the publication of the final RSS is disappointing as it means further uncertainty for authorities and other partners.

"However, it does give government further opportunity to reflect on the significance of the scale of growth and change that has been proposed for the South West.

"Given the slow down of the economy and development as a consequence, it suggests that the position proposed by the region in the draft RSS is a more realistic approach, and also has the benefit of being broadly supported by local authorities and partners in the region when it was submitted."