Black Country Core Strategy Issue and Option Report

Thank you for consulting Lichfield District Council on the Black Country Core Strategy Review Issues and Options Consultation.

The Regulation 18 consultation document produced jointly between the four Black Country authorities sets out the scope for the Black Country Core Strategy Review (BCCSR), with the aim to identify the issues that the review will address and the broad options for how sustainable growth of the Black Country can be achieved. Given that this is an initial stage of the plan making process our comments below are fairly general.

Approach towards Core Strategy Review
Lichfield District Council note the proposed approach towards undertaking a partial review of the existing Core Strategy, seeking to carry forward and 'stretch' the existing spatial strategy and to update the spatial strategy and policies in light of new evidence and changes in national policy, rather than carry out a wholescale review.

At this stage, we have initial concerns with the proposed approach towards carrying out a partial review as opposed to a wholescale review. We consider that given the significant changes in National Policy since the adoption of the Core Strategy, namely the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies and the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework, there is a need to ensure that the BCCSR explores all options for growth from the outset and carry out a wholescale review as opposed to updating the existing spatial strategy as suggested.

Housing Provision
The authorities within the Greater Birmingham Housing Market Area (GBHMA) (including Lichfield, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Council and the City of Wolverhampton Council) are working together to determine how to address the shortfall within the GBHMA of 37,900 dwellings which is primarily from Birmingham City Council being unable to accommodate all of its housing requirements within its boundaries. As this work moves forward, it will be important for the Black Country authorities to consider how the emerging BCCSR may need to respond to any proposals which relate to the quantum and distribution of housing across the GBHMA.

Duty to Cooperate
The Duty to Cooperate will be of great importance as the plan evolves, particularly in relation to potential sites where cross boundary work is necessary, Cannock Chase SAC and matters relating to the green belt. Therefore, Lichfield District Council welcomes continuing positive dialogue with the Black Country authorities as the BCCSR progresses.

Thank you for consulting Lichfield District Council on the Black Country Core Strategy Review Issues and Options Consultation.

The Regulation 18 consultation document produced jointly between the four Black Country authorities sets out the scope for the Black Country Core Strategy Review (BCCSR), with the aim to identify the issues that the review will address and the broad options for how sustainable growth of the Black Country can be achieved. Given that this is an initial stage of the plan making process our comments below are fairly general.

Approach towards Core Strategy Review
Lichfield District Council note the proposed approach towards undertaking a partial review of the existing Core Strategy, seeking to carry forward and 'stretch' the existing spatial strategy and to update the spatial strategy and policies in light of new evidence and changes in national policy, rather than carry out a wholescale review.

At this stage, we have initial concerns with the proposed approach towards carrying out a partial review as opposed to a wholescale review. We consider that given the significant changes in National Policy since the adoption of the Core Strategy, namely the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies and the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework, there is a need to ensure that the BCCSR explores all options for growth from the outset and carry out a wholescale review as opposed to updating the existing spatial strategy as suggested.

Housing Provision
The authorities within the Greater Birmingham Housing Market Area (GBHMA) (including Lichfield, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Council and the City of Wolverhampton Council) are working together to determine how to address the shortfall within the GBHMA of 37,900 dwellings which is primarily from Birmingham City Council being unable to accommodate all of its housing requirements within its boundaries. As this work moves forward, it will be important for the Black Country authorities to consider how the emerging BCCSR may need to respond to any proposals which relate to the quantum and distribution of housing across the GBHMA.

Duty to Cooperate
The Duty to Cooperate will be of great importance as the plan evolves, particularly in relation to potential sites where cross boundary work is necessary, Cannock Chase SAC and matters relating to the green belt. Therefore, Lichfield District Council welcomes continuing positive dialogue with the Black Country authorities as the BCCSR progresses.

Thank you for consulting Lichfield District Council on the Black Country Core Strategy Review Issues and Options Consultation.

The Regulation 18 consultation document produced jointly between the four Black Country authorities sets out the scope for the Black Country Core Strategy Review (BCCSR), with the aim to identify the issues that the review will address and the broad options for how sustainable growth of the Black Country can be achieved. Given that this is an initial stage of the plan making process our comments below are fairly general.

Approach towards Core Strategy Review
Lichfield District Council note the proposed approach towards undertaking a partial review of the existing Core Strategy, seeking to carry forward and 'stretch' the existing spatial strategy and to update the spatial strategy and policies in light of new evidence and changes in national policy, rather than carry out a wholescale review.

At this stage, we have initial concerns with the proposed approach towards carrying out a partial review as opposed to a wholescale review. We consider that given the significant changes in National Policy since the adoption of the Core Strategy, namely the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies and the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework, there is a need to ensure that the BCCSR explores all options for growth from the outset and carry out a wholescale review as opposed to updating the existing spatial strategy as suggested.

Housing Provision
The authorities within the Greater Birmingham Housing Market Area (GBHMA) (including Lichfield, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Council and the City of Wolverhampton Council) are working together to determine how to address the shortfall within the GBHMA of 37,900 dwellings which is primarily from Birmingham City Council being unable to accommodate all of its housing requirements within its boundaries. As this work moves forward, it will be important for the Black Country authorities to consider how the emerging BCCSR may need to respond to any proposals which relate to the quantum and distribution of housing across the GBHMA.

Duty to Cooperate
The Duty to Cooperate will be of great importance as the plan evolves, particularly in relation to potential sites where cross boundary work is necessary, Cannock Chase SAC and matters relating to the green belt. Therefore, Lichfield District Council welcomes continuing positive dialogue with the Black Country authorities as the BCCSR progresses.