A consultation on the latest phase of the Black Country Plan has been launched. Last month Sandwell Council’s cabinet gave the go ahead for the public consultation.

People across the borough can now have their say on major housing plans to help shape developments across Sandwell for the next two decades.

The draft plan outlines potential future developments across the Black Country and is now being consulted on by the four Black Country councils – Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The plan aims to identify land for housing and employment purposes across the Black Country whilst continuing to protect green belt land from development.

The government projects that the Black Country will need just over 76,000 new homes over the next 20 years. To support this growth, it also needs 560 hectares of land to accommodate new jobs by 2039. This is equivalent to 835 football fields.

The latest consultation gives people the chance to have their say on the proposed sites for development and where they think new development should take place.

The consultation runs from Monday 16 August until Monday 11 October 2021. You can find out more and complete the survey on the Black Country Plan website.

Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Rajbir Singh, is urging people to give a few minutes of their time to complete the survey in order to have a say on the future of our borough.

Councillor Singh said: “Our vision for Sandwell is to have a thriving, optimistic and resilient community.

“This vision can only be achieved if our people have the homes they need, access to jobs and the facilities to support their daily lives. The Black Country Plan will help deliver that vision by identifying where these homes and jobs will be located whilst protecting our environment.

“The Black Country Plan will guide the future of the borough for the next 20 years. I would urge everyone to take a few minutes to complete and help shape that future.”

To view the consultation documents go to the Black Country Plan website Draft Black Country Plan 2039 (Regulation 18) Consultation page and to comment on the consultation visit the How to Comment page. 

 

Alternatively, you can visit your local library or Sandwell Council House reception in Oldbury or email blackcountryplan@dudley.gov.uk.