Object

Representation ID: 18567

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

Agent: Councillor Qadar Zada

[Dudley housing numbers]

We consider there are three fundamental aspects of the process which the BCP has failed to address adequality, which, as a consequence, discredit the proposals and places them at risk of potential legal action. These include the determination of the housing need, timing, duration and nature of the consultation process (including scrutiny) and equality considerations.

Dudley’s housing contribution within the BCP


We consider that Dudley Council has not fought the corner of residents by offering land for 13000 homes, which is more than it’s fair share of the total identified. However, we do not hold the other three authorities
responsible for this as they are merely doing right by their own residents.
The responsibility lies solely with Dudley Council which has failed to provide anywhere near a fair share of employment land. It has proposed just 22 hectares, a small fraction of the 354 hectares identified, which explains the possibly there has been a trade-off between the authorities between land for homes and for employment. Employment land gives rise to far fewer people and traffic movements and therefore provides less pressure on the infrastructure than new homes with a permanent
day and evening population. Providing so many homes with so few additional local employment opportunities will also increase people and traffic movements as employment opportunities are sought by the additional population outside the borough.