Comment

Representation ID: 2860

Received: 08/09/2017

Respondent: St Philips

St Philips has not interrogated the findings of the SHMA but understands it to be the most recent housing need evidence underpinning the BCCS Review. The SHMA concludes that the objectively assessed housing need for the Black Country for the BCCS Review period is 78,190 homes, or 3,554 dwellings per annum (dpa).

In accordance with the Duty to Co-operate, the Black Country has agreed to attempt to accommodate an extra 3,000 homes to help address the shortfall in the wider HMA. St Philips understands that the Black Country Authorities are undertaking work to confirm how many houses can be accommodated from existing planning permissions and windfall sites. Further evidence on housing needs will be developed through the BCCS Review process and St Philips hopes that all such work is made available to interested parties in a transparent manner. It is clear from the SHMA findings that a substantial number of new homes will need to be accommodated in the Green Belt and St Philips therefore wishes to highlight the opportunity provided by the identified land which is suitable for residential development.