Comment

Representation ID: 23141

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark Partnership

Agent: Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark Partnership

General comments; The Black country UNESCO Geopark Partnership acknowledges the difficult balance that this document deals with between urban growth and development whilst maintaining quality of environment, the provision of outdoor inspirational places for health and wellbeing, and the growing importance of the visitor economy that this plan is attempting to address. Our comments and suggested amendments are focused on those aspects of policy which particularly align with the work and aspirations of the Black country UNESCO Global Geopark (BCUGGp), These are; the natural & cultural Heritage, its fundamental importance to sustainable growth , the visitor economy,learning, skills development and training, creativity, the quality of life and wellbeing of our communities and the increasing importance of the threats to quality of the environment including climate change.

We feel that this section is a reasonable summary of the context and underpinning principles of the plan. We particularly note and concur with important observations stated in paragraphs 1.18 and 1,36. These stating that consultation demonstrated that there was support for housing to be built in sustainable locations and a desire to protect the environment of the Black Country (section 1.18) and that the plan recognises that deprivation, obesity and wellbeing are issues, which negatively affect the physical and mental health and wellbeing of residents of the Black Country, that are influenced by the quality of, and opportunities within, the built and natural environment(section 1.36)