Local Development Framework (LDF)

Latest News

Publication of The Solihull Draft Local Plan: Shaping a Sustainable Future Pre-Submission Document (January 2012)

Following Cabinet approval on 8th December 2011, the Council has published the Solihull Draft Local Plan: Shaping a Sustainable Future Pre-Submission Document for a six week period of representation, in accordance with Regulation 27 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 (as amended).

The Solihull Draft Local Plan outlines the spatial vision for how the Borough will develop up to 2028 and sets out objectives, a spatial strategy, core policies and a delivery and monitoring framework to measure the implementation of the plan.  The document also proposes sites for development, which are identified on the Proposals Map.  Paper copies of the Solihull Draft Local Plan are available for public inspection at the locations listed in the Statement of Representations Procedure.

Once adopted, the Solihull Local Plan will be the principal planning document of the Local Development Framework, which will form the development plan for the Borough and will replace the saved policies of the Solihull Unitary Development Plan 2006.

The statutory period for making representations in relation to the 'legal compliance' and 'soundness' of the Draft Local Plan will run from Monday 23rd January 2012 until 5:00 pm. on Monday 5th March 2012.  A guidance note is provided to help you in writing your representation.

Representations on the Draft Local Plan can be made by using the attached response form and sending it to: Spatial Planning Team Solihull Council PO Box 19 Solihull B91 9QT, or emailing us : sustainabledevelopment@solihull.gov.uk.  A word version of the response form can be emailed on request. Please contact sustainabledevelopment@solihull.gov.uk.

Statement of Consultation

A Statement of Consultation has been published alongside the Draft Local Plan, which sets out:- which organisations and stakeholders were invited to make representations; how they were notified; a summary of the issues raised and how the representations were taken into account.

Gypsy & Traveller Sites

The Council is currently assessing the sites that have been suggested to us for use as possible Gypsy and Traveller sites.  Land between Waste Lane and Old Waste Lane in Balsall Common, which was originally suggested to the Council as part of the 'call for sites' exercise, has now been withdrawn at the request of the site owner.  This site is now no longer included within the list of suggested sites.

LDF Local Plan (previously The Core Strategy)

In 2004 the government introduced  a new development planning system, the Local Development Framework (LDF).

We are currently working on producing the Local Plan for Solihull which is the main LDF Document. The Local Plan will set out plans for how and where Solihull will develop in the future and will play an important role in helping to deliver the Sustainable Communities Strategy priorities for improvement.

At the end of 2008 we consulted on the issues and options paper - “Challenges and Choices” - which identifies the key issues that we think the Local Plan should address, a draft vision for the Borough’s future and a series of objectives to help us get there. We also proposed options for where new development might be accommodated in the Borough.

A copy of “Challenges and Choices” is attached. The consultation ended on 30th January 2009 and a summary of responses received is attached. Responses to the consultation have been used to help develop the Emerging Core Strategy.

The Emerging Core Strategy (3.3MB |PDF), was published for consultation between October-December 2010.  Summaries of the representations received are attached in two documents - the first document is presented by respondent number.  In the second document representations have been matched to their relevant Emerging Core Strategy Chapter and the document follows the order of the Emerging Core Strategy. 

Responses were reported to Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 14th March 2011 and to Planning Committee (Policy) on 17th March 2011.  The Council's response to the consultation and recommendations for the Core Strategy is attached.

Long-term Housing Sites (safeguarded land) - Note for Clarification:  As part of the Emerging Core Strategy Consultation no decision was taken on the future allocation of any of the long-term housing sites.  Eight of the long-term housing sites were suggested for allocation in Policy 4 of the Emerging Core Strategy, and the remaining four sites were included in the consultation amongst the other housing site options attached.  See the attached Long-term Housing Sites Summary for further information.

"Shaping Solihull’s Future Together Conference" July 2011 The Village Hotel, Shirley

Consultation on the Council’s Future Development Plan moved up a gear with the recent conference at The Village Hotel. The conference was attended by over 50 delegates from  parish councils, recognised residents associations and representatives of the development industry. The conference focussed on the Council’s commitment to working with communities and stakeholders in taking forward the Core Strategy, discussing the needs opportunities and aspirations of our neighbourhoods, communities and villages which will shape and influence how we go forward, the Governments new planning agenda and the need to continue progressing the Plan. Afternoon workshops looked at communities needs and potential development opportunities.

Copies of the delegates pack, notes from the day and annotated maps from each of the 5 workshops are included under the list of attachments.  Please be aware these notes were made by Council Officers. If you consider there are any discrepancies, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.

"Shaping Solihull's Future Together: Next Steps" Feedback Conference November 2011 The Village Hotel, Shirley

Another step towards shaping the future of Solihull was taken with the recent follow up half day conference at The Village Hotel in Shirley.  The conference was again well attended with over 50 key stakeholders with representatives from Parish Council's, recognised Residents Associations and the development industry.  The conference focused on the Draft Local Plan, its vision, strategy, policies and development proposals, which with influence from community groups had been developed since the last conference in July.  More detail around the Plan was discussed within smaller groups together with feedback to round off the conference.  Copies of the agenda, presentations and maps for the day are included under the list of attachments.

Draft Local Plan Publication Agreed

Another milestone in shaping the future of Solihull was reached with the LDF Draft Local Plan, previously referred to as the Core Strategy, being considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on the 7th December and by Cabinet on the 8th December 2011.  Cabinet agreed the publication of the LDF Draft Local Plan Pre-Submission document.

Evidence

The LDF must be based in evidence. Studies completed so far  include Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Coventry Solihull & Warwickshire Employment Land Study, Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment, Solihull Town Centre Study, Strategic Housing Market Assessment, Retail Need and Capacity Study, Strategic Accessibility Study and Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Resource Assessment and Feasibility Study, Settlement Studies, Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), Green Infrastructure Study, and Transport and Infrastructure Study.

Other relevant documents produced by others are:

•  Birmingham International Airport Masterplan
•  Birmingham International Airport Surface Access Strategy
• Strategic Framework for Investment: The Economic Impact and Potential of the M42 Corridor.

The coalition Government intends to abolish Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) through the Localism Bill. Until then the RSS remains part of the statutory development plan and decisions should be taken in accordance with it. The relative weight of the RSS in the decision making process, however, remains a matter of ongoing debate.
In the light of this uncertainty and the proposed changes to the planning system, the opportunity has been taken to prepare an Interim Position Statement on behalf of the West Midlands Metropolitan Authorities and the Integrated Transport Authority/Centro.

No new policy is introduced through this statement but it:
• demonstrates categorically that all authorities remain committed to the Urban Renaissance principle and
• demonstrates an early commitment to fulfilling the duty to cooperate which is contained within the draft localism Bill.

The statement has no formal status. It is a summary position of the current policy and is subject to change to reflect any new priorities that emerge at the local level or when new legislation is enacted or Government guidance or policy is published.

Position Statement : Strategic Spatial Planning in the West Midlands Metropolitan Area

How to be Kept Informed

If you would like to be involved in or consulted on the LDF, or just want to be kept up to date on progress, please complete the on line form ‘LDF Consultation Database’. This form can also be used to update your details.
Our Statement of Community Involvement (see attachments) sets out how and when we will involve local people and stakeholders in all planning matters, including planning policy and proposal documents.

Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations Development Plan Document

In July and August 2011 the Council consulted on a Gypsy and Traveller site allocations development plan document (DPD) ‘options’ paper, which looked to identify the possible ways pitches and sites could come forward.

The options paper also included a ‘call for sites’ exercise, where people could suggest sites they think are suitable for Gypsies and Travellers. 

The responses to the options paper have now been considered and  the Council's comments on the responses is attached.  A number of new sites have been suggested to the Council by the people who took part in the consultation. 

No decisions on site allocations have been made at this stage - all sites will need to be closely assessed before the Council undertakes further consultation.

View the Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations Development Plan Document List of Submitted Sites.

Land for New Development

We are required to involve people in identifying sites for development and redevelopment. If you would like to propose land for new housing or any other use, you can use the printable Site Proposal Form.

Our Work Programme – Local Development Scheme (LDS)

We are required to publish a LDS (see attachments) which is our work programme for producing the main planning policy documents. The latest LDS was brought into effect in March 2011.

Monitoring Performance

We are required to monitor and report on planning policies and progress in achieving the LDS. Each December an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) is submitted to the Secretary of State, covering the previous monitoring period 1 April – 31 March.

Other Useful Planning Websites

The Planning Portal includes a useful guide to Local Development Frameworks.

The Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) sets national policies on different aspects of planning as well as the rules that govern the overall operation of the planning system.

National planning policies are set out in new-style Planning Policy Statements (PPS), which are gradually replacing Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG). More information can be found on the CLG website.  It is the intention of the Government to replace PPS's and PPG's with one national policy document (the National Planning Policy Framework). 

The West Midlands Regional Assembly (WMRA) was abolished on 31st March 2010.  The WMRA was responsible for producing the Regional Spatial Strategy (abolished in July 2010). Information about the evidence base used in the development of the Regional Spatial Strategy can be found on the WMRA website.

Contact Details

For more information about the UDP and LDF in Solihull please contact the Spatial Planning Team.

Telephone: 0121 704 6393, 6397, 8225 or 6646

Email: sustainabledevelopment@solihull.gov.uk

• The LDF Evidence Base
  
• How are we performing?