Object

Representation ID: 1261

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Agent: Evolve Planning & Design

Unmet housing needs should be considered in setting the housing target and include shortfalls from the Birmingham Development Plan 2017, and the Black Country shortfall. These do not take into account the 35% uplift to housing needs applicable to Wolverhampton and Birmingham. The 4,000 home contribution appears reasonable and is justified by shared evidence produced by HMA LPAs.

Projected working age population growth in the SHMA doesn’t match projected job growth, which is significantly higher, especially when West Midlands Interchange job growth is considered. Further evidence is necessary to consider the balance between jobs and working age population age.

The settlement hierarchy and distribution of housing growth adjacent to the Black Country and in the most sustainable villages is supported. This aligns growth to Tier 1 and 2 settlements and the proposed employment strategy in an area more connected to major road and rail infrastructure. Concerns are raised that insufficient growth has been allocated in Tier 3 settlements to support existing services and facilities.

Insufficient growth is delivered on the western edge of the Black Country (390 dwellings) compared to the GBHMA Strategic Growth Study recommendations (500-2500 dwellings). Due to constraints within Cannock Chase District, future unmet needs may need to be accommodated on the edge of Cannock.