Planning Services - Frequently Asked Questions

Sustainable Development FAQ's

Last updated 18th March 2009 - Page updated every six months

Q What is the Solihull UDP?

A The Solihull Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 2006 is the Council's statutory land-use plan which designates land to meet the Borough's housing and business requirements, contains policies that guide and control development, designates Green Belt and contains other policies on a range of issues such as transport, the environment, countryside, retail centres, recreation, mineral and waste. It also has a fundamental role of balancing the pressure for development against the need to protect the environment.

The Solihull Unitary Development Plan 2006 is the first review of the UDP adopted in 1997, and covers the period 2001-2011. Preparation of the 2006 UDP began in 1998 and, following a public local inquiry in 2004, the Plan was finally adopted in February 2006

       The Solihull Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 2006

Q What is the Local Development Framework (LDF)?

A A new planning system was introduced in September 2004 requiring the Council to gradually replace the policies and proposals of the Unitary Development Plan and replace them with a folder of different planning policy and proposal documents known as a Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF will provide the essential framework for planning in the Borough.

       The Solihull Local Development Framework (LDF)

Q What is the Core Strategy?

A The Core Strategy is the key document in the Local Development Framework and sets out the strategic context for other development plan documents. It will set out the vision and strategic policies that will guide the development of the district for at least 10 years when it is adopted.

Q What is the Local Development Scheme?

A The Local Development Scheme is a public statement of our work programme for producing the planning policy documents that go into the new Local Development Framework and contains the key planning policies.

       The Solihull Local Development Framework (LDF)

Q What is the SCI?

A The Solihull Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) is the document that sets out how we will involve local people and stakeholders in all planning matters, including producing planning policy and proposal documents and considering planning applications across the whole Borough.

       The Solihull Local Development Framework (LDF)

Q What is an AMR?

A The Annual monitoring Report is the document that measures the effectiveness of our main Unitary Development Plan / Local Development Framework policies and proposals. The report highlights any action we need to take to reflect the findings of the report, including the need to review any part of the Local Development Framework.

       The Solihull Local Development Framework (LDF)

Q What is Solihull's policy on affordable housing?

A Policy H4 of the Unitary Development Plan sets out our policy on Affordable Housing. The policy requires that on sites with 15 dwellings or more, or a site area over 0.5 hectares that 40% of the houses built should be affordable (either socially rented or shared ownership). More advice can be found in our Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance.

       Solihull UDP Supplementary Planning Guidance

Q Where is residential development currently taking place in the Borough?

A The majority of new housing currently being provided is at Dickens Heath, Wharf Lane and in north Solihull through the regeneration project. Small housing developments within existing residential areas also make a significant contribution to housing provision.

Our 'New Housing in Context' Supplementary Planning Guidance is our policy for good design in new housing development.

Land for housing is also allocated in Meriden and at Moat Lane Depot, but these developments have not yet started.

Q How much Green Belt is there in Solihull and where is it?

A The Borough covers around 17,800 hectares of land of which 67% is designated as Green Belt. The Green Belt lies to the east of the major built up area of the Borough, extending to the boundary with Coventry. This important area of Green Belt is known as the 'Meriden Gap'.

Q Where can I get information about North Solihull Regeneration?

A Find more information about the Regeneration of North Solihull on this site, by emailing regendevelopment@solihull.gov.uk or by phoning the free hotline on 0800 389 7997