Residents and businesses are being asked to comment on the issues and options that the Council’s emerging local plan should look to address.
The Council is preparing a new Local Plan following major national planning reforms and the withdrawal of the previous draft plan. The Plan will guide where new homes, jobs and supporting infrastructure should be located across the borough up to 2043.
The consultation outlines options for locating new development and asks for views on how best to distribute growth, ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development, and shape high‑quality, sustainable places. Stakeholders can comment on issues ranging from housing numbers and spatial strategy to design quality, transport, climate change and biodiversity.
The consultation opens on Friday 30 January 2026 and will close at 11:59pm on Monday 16 March 2026, with feedback helping shape the next stage of the emerging Local Plan.
Councillor Andrew Mackiewicz, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning, commented:
“Last week we reaffirmed our commitment to delivering a Local Plan as quickly as possible, and promised this consultation given the recent changes to national planning laws and guidance.
“These changes have major implications for how we plan for future housing, including the scale of growth we must accommodate and where it could go.
“The recent introduction of the ‘Grey Belt’ concept means we must reassess how different parts of the Green Belt are performing. Our extensive natural environment, including the Green Belt that covers around two‑thirds of the borough, is central to what makes Solihull such a special place. We recognise that further release is likely to be necessary, just as it was in our 2020 plan—but development will never be at any cost.
“By engaging early, we can ensure our new Local Plan reflects the needs and values of our communities while providing much‑needed certainty for residents and businesses.
“This consultation is about getting the balance right, shaping high‑quality places, and ensuring Solihull remains a great place to live, work, invest and enjoy. I hope residents, businesses and stakeholders will share their views and help us frame a plan that will preserve the Solihull that we are all proud of.”
Comments can be submitted via our dedicated on-line portal which can be accessed from the Emerging Local Plan webpage. This page hosts the full consultation document and also a short summary document which provides a helpful overview covering why a new plan is needed, what the main issues are, and the options being explored.
Please note, respondents do not need to comment on every question, and can respond to as many or as few as they wish.
Drop-in events are being held across the borough so that people can discuss the consultation in person with council officers. The Emerging Local Plan webpage will provide up to date information about these events.
All comments will be reviewed and will help shape the next version of the Local Plan. A further, more detailed consultation will take place at the next stage, where the Council will set out its preferred approach.