Recent changes to national planning rules made by the government mean that the council must begin work this year on a new local plan, which will shape where development takes place up to 2045.

The report, explaining that a scoping consultation will invite feedback on what the plan should contain and how the community should be involved, will be reviewed by Economy and Growth Scrutiny Panel at its meeting on Thursday, July 9, before going forward to Cabinet for consideration on Wednesday, July 22.

If approved, the scoping consultation is set to take place from July 27 to September 8, 2026.  This will seek views on the proposed scope of the plan and what it will replace, any supporting evidence that may be required to inform the plan, and a community engagement strategy for the plan preparation process. 

It follows the council publishing a ‘Local Plan Timetable and Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation’ on June 30, 2026. The Timetable and Notice are, and full details of the scoping consultation from July 27 will be, available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/wolverhamptonplan, the Civic Centre and Central Library.

Once the consultation is completed, a new ‘Wolverhampton Plan’ process will follow a statutory 34-month preparation timetable – with two chances for the public to comment, a public examination and prior to adoption of the new plan in 2029.

The Council’s current ‘Wolverhampton Local Plan’ is awaiting the outcome of an independent examination by the planning inspectorate under the government’s previous plan-making system and is due to be adopted next year.

Both plans identify environmental areas to protect and enhance, sites to allocate for housing development and employment use, key transport schemes and policies to guide design and secure infrastructure.

City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “It remains critical to have a local plan in place to provide certainty for our communities and support regeneration and investment in our city.

“The revised National Planning Policy Framework means we are now legally required to develop a local plan that fits the new government plan-making system – and this report is an important part of that process.

“In the meantime, we await the outcome of the local plan we submitted under the previous plan-making system.

“Both plans will help facilitate a vibrant mixed use city centre and enable new housing and employment opportunities on brownfield sites across the city, supporting local centres and strengthening the local economy.”