27 - Your chance to help shape the Black Country

 

Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils are urging residents and businesses to have their say on the critically important Black Country Core Strategy Preferred Options document.

 

People have until April 28 to have a say on the strategy, which sets out the future pattern for new development up to 2026.

 

At the heart of the strategy is the construction of thousands of new homes and major new office developments. This is in addition to the protection and development of high quality employment land and the shaping of town centres with extended shopping opportunities.

 

The proposals aim to deliver high quality, distinctive places where people will want to live and in turn respect to make the most of the existing diversity of the Black Country’s natural and built environment. Particularly important are the canals, open spaces and industrial and architectural heritage.

 

 

“The Black Country local authorities want people to have equal access to a choice of housing, including affordable housing and a range of quality jobs, community services and facilities, including lifelong learning, healthcare and sport.

 

“Achieving this vision will require ensuring that the Black Country has places and spaces that make the most of brownfield sites in the area and deal with the likely effects of climate change. On behalf of the four councils, I would ask people to get involved. These proposals will affect everyone living, working and travelling in the Black Country over the next 20 years.”

 

Sarah Middleton, chief executive of the Black Country Consortium which has supported the four councils responsible for the Black Country Core Strategy, said:

“The region is facing considerable challenges over the next 20 years and we are looking to create an environment where people want to live and which provides employment opportunities.

 

“The vision for this change is centred on creating sustainable communities, environmental transformation and economic prosperity.”

 

As part of the consultation process Dudley Council is holding a number of open events in each of the regeneration corridors. These will be drop in sessions where the public will have the opportunity to talk to a planning officer about the proposals.

 

Each event will run from 10am to 4pm and kicks off tomorrow (Friday March 28) at Kingswinford Community Centre, High Street, Kingswinford.

On Monday March 31 the event will be at Dudley Council Plus, Castle Street, Dudley and on Friday April 4 it will be at Halesowen’s Cornbow Hall. On April 11 it will be held at Lye Community Centre, Cross Walks Road, Lye and on April 16 at Coseley Youth Centre, Old Meeting Room, Bilston.

 

For more information about the Black Country Core Strategy preferred options document, including details of local consultation events and ways you can make your comments visit the website http://blackcountrycorestrategy.dudley.gov.uk, email blackcountrycorestrategy@dudley.gov.uk or phone 01384 816967.