RESIDENTS are being called on to help shape a far-reaching blueprint that will set out where thousands of new homes and workplaces should be built in the West Midlands over the coming decades.
A six-week consultation has been launched so people can give their views on the West Midlands Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) which will focus new development on those locations that can best drive economic growth.
To help guide the SDS a series of drop-in sessions are being held across the region so people can learn more about the strategy and give their feedback.
Drop-in sessions will be held in Solihull in Touchwood Shopping Centre (opposite Next) today (November 7) between 9.30am – 6.30pm and at Coventry Market, Queen Victoria Road on December 6 between 8.30am and 5.30pm.
The strategy, which will support Mayor Richard Parker’s new Growth Plan, is expected to take up to three years to finalise but will guide the region’s future developments for the next 20 to 30 years.
The Mayor said: “This is part of our mission to make the West Midlands the best place to live, work and do business.
“That means putting the jobs, homes and transport links people need in the places that can best drive growth and prosperity across all our communities.
“This strategy will shape the West Midlands – both socially and economically – for decades to come. I encourage everyone to have their say and help us build the future of their own neighbourhoods and wider region.”
Feedback from the consultation will influence a first draft of the strategy, which will also be shaped by extensive research and input from key organisations across the region.
The draft will be produced by the WMCA and local councils before going back out to public consultation, most likely in 2027.
The public consultation is in response to a government proposal requiring all major regions to produce a Spatial Development Strategy for their part of the country.
It is part of the government’s ambition to deliver 1.5million new homes before the next general election.
The West Midlands strategy will help deliver a fairer distribution of new housing across a wider area, helping those local councils struggling to find enough land to meet standalone housing targets set by government.
The SDS will be guided by a number of principles, one of which is to adopt a brownfield first approach to maximise the use of derelict industrial land and provide a consistent approach to the release of any greenfield or green belt land.
Views can also be given through the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) website.