SOLIHULL Council is asking for feedback on two key planning documents for the borough.
The first document, the Draft Solihull Settlement Hierarchy, looks at Solihull’s rural settlements, and in particular which, if any, should be considered as towns rather than villages in the context of the new national Green Belt planning policy.

The council is keen to receive feedback on the approach and conclusions.

The second, the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), sets out how the council will consult with local communities, stakeholders, and developers on all planning matters.

This includes the preparation of planning policy that sets out the long-term vision and development strategy for the borough, as well as the determination of planning applications submitted to the council.

Any feedback received to be used to determine whether and to what extent the approach and conclusions should be adopted and used when determining relevant planning applications.

Feedback on the SCI consultation will be carefully considered as the document is developed further.

Coun Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet member for climate change and planning, said: “The new government’s targets are putting pressure on our land and so it is important that we work together to mitigate the impact.

“Now is the right time to look at the hierarchy of our rural settlements, following the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 and the update to Planning Practice Guidance earlier this year.

“There are clearly now specific consequences to whether a settlement is considered a village or a town, which will influence the interpretation of Green Belt policy and have implications for the location of new development.

“We must therefore give more consideration to how a settlement is classed and want to hear people’s views on this. We also want to make sure that planning decisions are shaped by the people who live, work and are invested in Solihull, which is the aim of the SCI.”

Both surveys are now open  and will close on Monday August 25 2025 at 11:59pm.

Visit yourvoicesolihull.uk.engagementhq.com/statement-of-community-involvement for more information.