A six-week consultation has been launched so people can give their views on the West Midlands Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) which will focus new development on those locations that can best drive economic growth.
To help guide the SDS a series of drop-in sessions are being held so people can learn more about the strategy and give their feedback.
The public can also give their views through the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) website.
The strategy, which will support mayor Richard Parker’s new Growth Plan, is expected to take up to three years to finalise but will guide the region’s future developments for the next 20-30 years.
The mayor said: “This is part of our mission to make the West Midlands the best place to live, work and do business.
“That means putting the jobs, homes and transport links people need in the places that can best drive growth and prosperity across all our communities.
“This strategy will shape the West Midlands – both socially and economically – for decades to come. I encourage everyone to have their say and help us build the future of their own neighbourhoods and wider region.”
Feedback from the consultation will influence a first draft of the strategy, which will also be shaped by extensive research and input from key organisations across the region.
The draft will be produced by the WMCA and local councils before going back out to public consultation, most likely in 2027.
The drop-in sessions will be at:
The public consultation is in response to a government proposal requiring all major regions to produce a Spatial Development Strategy for their part of the country. It is part of the government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes before the next general election.
The West Midlands strategy will help deliver a fairer distribution of new housing across a wider area, helping those local councils struggling to find enough land to meet standalone housing targets set by government.
The SDS will be guided by a number of principles, one of which is to adopt a brownfield first approach to maximise the use of derelict industrial land and provide a consistent approach to the release of any greenfield or Green Belt land. New growth must also be supported by the guarantee of required transport, energy, green and social infrastructure.
The strategy will support the local plans of councils who will also continue to be responsible for detailed planning policy, site allocations and Green Belt boundaries. Most planning applications will also be decided by local councils.
More information about the strategy is available HERE.
