Object
Sandwell Local Plan - Reg 19 Publication
Representation ID: 1462
Received: 11/11/2024
Respondent: Dudley MBC (Vicki Popplewell)
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
The approach taken by the Council for identifying land supply within the borough to date is supported, however the Local Plan recognises that the remaining housing shortfall within Sandwell is significant, and it outlines a shortfall may remain even when contributions from other local authorities are accounted for. Given this context, it is appropriate for Sandwell MBC to keep under review its own land supply on a regular basis and continue exploring opportunities for increasing the supply wherever possible. Additional wording should be included at the end of paragraphs 3.12 and 3.17 to this effect.
Additional wording should be included at the end of paragraph 3.12 as follows:
The Council will continue to regularly monitor the land supply position and keep under review any opportunities for additional supply with the borough over the plan period. Mechanisms for such monitoring and review include an annual Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (wherein density and other capacity assumptions can be reconsidered and a Call for Sites undertaken); the Brownfield Register; forthcoming Design Codes, Masterplans or any equivalent for specific areas or sites; the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan (where applicable); and the Authority Monitoring Report.
Additional wording should be included at the end of paragraph 3.17 as follows:
This work includes those mechanisms set out at paragraph 3.12 to monitor and review land supply within Sandwell borough.
The approach taken by the Council for identifying land supply within the borough to date is supported, however the Local Plan recognises that the remaining housing shortfall within Sandwell is significant, and it outlines a shortfall may remain even when contributions from other local authorities are accounted for. Given this context, it is appropriate for Sandwell MBC to keep under review its own land supply on a regular basis and continue exploring opportunities for increasing the supply wherever possible. This would ensure the Local Plan is sound in terms of being ‘effective’ and ‘consistent with national planning policy’.
Additional wording should be included at the end of paragraph 3.12 as follows:
The Council will continue to regularly monitor the land supply position and keep under review any opportunities for additional supply with the borough over the plan period. Mechanisms for such monitoring and review include an annual Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (wherein density and other capacity assumptions can be reconsidered and a Call for Sites undertaken); the Brownfield Register; forthcoming Design Codes, Masterplans or any equivalent for specific areas or sites; the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan (where applicable); and the Authority Monitoring Report.
Additional wording should be included at paragraph 3.17 as follows:
This work includes those mechanisms set out at paragraph 3.12 to monitor and review land supply within Sandwell borough.