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The four Black Country Local Authorities (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) have agreed to work together to produce a Black Country Core Strategy in partnership with the community and other key organisations such as voluntary and private sector bodies and businesses.  This will be a ‘spatial planning document’ (dealing not only with land use but also environmental, economic and social issues) that will set out the vision, objectives and strategy for future development in the Black Country to 2026. The Core Strategy will be a Development Plan Document and will form the basis of the Black Country Local Authorities’ Local Development Frameworks.

 

This site will keep you up-to date with the latest news and provide you with details of consultation events, opportunities to give your views and copies of any documents or other material available. 

 

 

The Core Strategy has been developed through a comprehensive and inclusive process which began with the preparation of the Black Country Study and the RSS Phase 1 Revision, adopted in 2008.  Throughout this process there have been opportunities to integrate the emerging Core Strategy with emerging Sustainable Communities Strategies, culminating in the publication of the Core Strategy in November 2009. Details of previous consultations can be found at the link below.

 

 

The Core Strategy is a ‘spatial planning document’ which will guide the transformation and regeneration of the Black Country by promoting economic growth through improving the quality of employment land and aiding the delivery of a broad mix of new homes between now and 2026, supported by new shops, offices, leisure, transport and environmental improvements. It will affect all areas in the Black Country and at the heart of the strategy is a series of ‘regeneration corridors’ and ‘strategic centres’ where change will be focussed. 

 

 

Representations were invited on the “soundness” of the plan between 30^th November 2009 and 15^th January 2010. The Local Authorities have considered the representations received on the document and determined the changes that need to be made when the Core Strategy is submitted to the Secretary of State.

 

 

The Core Strategy was submitted to the Secretary of State on 26th February 2010. This was accompanied by a List of Proposed Changes, the List of Evidence, the Consultation Report 2006-2009 and the Consultation Statement February 2010. These documents can be downloaded below.

 

Please note: in the Consultation Statement (February 2010) Appendix 2 'List of Respondents' Respondent ID31 should read "West Midlands Metropolitan Area Canals Partnership".

These documents are also available to inspect at the following venues during normal office hours.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

An Examination in Public was held between 13 July 2010 and 27 July 2010. Following the hearings, the Black Country Councils have prepared Further Proposed Changes to the Submitted Core Strategy and have submitted these to the Inspectors for consideration. These Further Proposed Changes are available on the Examination page. A version of the Core Strategy Submission Document and Appendices incorporating these Further Proposed Changes as track changes can be downloaded below.

 

 

The timetable for the production of the final Black Country Core Strategy is as follows:

 

 

The Inspectors Report is anticipated to be published in October 2010.