The local authority has a statutory duty to plan for housing in its area. The last time Local Development Plan (LDP) was submitted was in 2013. A new, draft, plan, was submitted to the planning inspectorate last year and this was subjected to detailed examination in public. The submitted plan can be read here:
Solihull Council has now received a letter from the Local Plan Inspectors following the latest hearing sessions, held in July. The Inspectors have agreed that the Council’s identified housing requirements are appropriate and have accepted the Councils approach to support the unmet housing needs from the wider housing market area. In doing so, it means the Council has passed the planning test known as the ‘Duty to Cooperate’ with neighbouring Councils.
The Inspector then focuses on some key areas that require further work and assessment. One of these is the housing capacity proposed at the NEC that the Council can rely on to be delivered during the Plan period with the second issue relating to the Knowle Triangle site (KN2).
The Council has been invited by the Inspectors to consider the issues raised and identify how it wishes to proceed. Any main modifications to the Plan will be reviewed by Members and will be subject to public consultation giving everyone the opportunity to comment on any changes to the plan.
For Blythe ward there are three distinct proposals; BL1 – Land west of Dickens Heath; BL2 – South of Dog Kennel Lane; BL3 – Whitlocks End Farm. These proposals can be found from page 172 of the document.
Ken Hawkins 