Preferred Options November 2021

Foreword

It is vitally important that we set a planning framework for the future of South Staffordshire to provide much needed housing and employment for our growing population. We know that our residents care about the communities in which they live and want to help shape our villages for future generations.

Members have driven the development of the new Local Plan for South Staffordshire and we are now consulting on the Preferred Options stage. The Preferred Options sets out sites for housing and employment and for pitches for our Gypsy and Traveller community. The plan will cover the period from 2018 up to 2038 and aims to provide for the needs of our own residents here in South Staffordshire, and some housing for our neighbouring authorities under our legal Duty to Cooperate.

This consultation sets out preferred sites based on robust planning evidence with infrastructure at its heart. We know that there are significant challenges in meeting national requirements, and providing new homes for our local communities, whilst protecting our Green Belt wherever possible.

The Government is pressing all planning authorities to make good progress with Local Plans, in advance of possible reforms to the planning system, and we need to have ours in place by 2023. Although this is a very important stage of consultation, changes can still be made to the plan and there will be a further consultation next year.

Your views can help us to shape the future of South Staffordshire and means we can build on our strong track record of providing affordable homes and jobs and will bring about new or improved local services and facilities and public open spaces.

Please let us have your views by responding to the consultation.

Councillor Terry Mason

Cabinet Member for Planning and Business Enterprise