Sandwell local plan ‘issues and options’ consultation is open

7th February 2023

Sandwell Council is in the process of preparing a new local plan for the borough. It is looking for local people and businesses to get involved. The public consultation on the plan is now open for six weeks, until Monday 20 March.

The first step in producing the new plan is the issues and options stage. This is when the council sets out what it thinks some of the main issues might be for the borough in terms of the use and development of land and invites people to comment on potential options for dealing with those issues.

This stage is underway and you can comment on the issues and options by registering here: Sandwell Local Plan Consultation

What is the local plan?

The local plan sets out different policies and proposals that will help guide development and land use for at least 15 years. It is used to make decisions on planning applications during that time. 

Sandwell Council’s new local plan will look at how it can best help local businesses to achieve their land use aims, as well as supporting companies wanting to locate in Sandwell. 

The plan will do this by identifying opportunities for a variety of business needs, meaning a mixed portfolio of sites will need to be made available, including large and small sites and spaces. 

The local plan will look to support growth, provide new sites for employment and include policies that sustain economic development in the borough.

Topics up for consultation

The topics being considered in the current consultation include:

• Employment land need
• Sandwell’s economy
• Regeneration
• Demand for employment sites
• Non-conforming employment uses
• Alternative uses in industrial areas
• Training and recruitment.

Alongside this, the local plan will also address issues around transportation, infrastructure, climate change and housing provision.

Call for sites

The issues and options stage is accompanied by a call for sites. Landowners and others are being asked whether they have, or know of, any land they think might be suitable for allocation in the plan as a site for new housing, employment or open space. 

How can I get involved?

The consultation started on Monday 6 February and runs until Monday 20 March. If you would like to have your say on the local plan issues and options or ??you know of a potentially suitable site you can comment by registering here: Sandwell Local Plan Consultation