Following the withdrawal of Solihull’s Draft Local Plan, the Council is building on the work already undertaken to develop a new Plan for the borough by issuing a ‘call-for-site submissions’, as set out in the report to Full Council in October.
On 4 September 2024 the Inspectors appointed to examine Solihull’s Local Plan recommended that it be withdrawn. The matter was considered at Full Council on 8 October 2024, and it was resolved that the Plan would be withdrawn.
Those promoting any sites in this previous Plan will need to re-register their interest to ensure the Council has up-to-date evidence on the availability of any proposed sites. The Council is also keen to receive submissions about sites not previously promoted, especially if they relate to brownfield land opportunities.
The ‘Call for Sites’ opened today, Friday 29 November, and will close on Friday 31 January 2025, giving interested parties nine weeks to make their submissions.
My thoughts are that the submitted plan was workable and that the few issues could have been dealt with separately. What we have now is the spectre of development hanging over residents heads even longer. Those who had sites in the previous plan will be required to restate their intention but there is also the likelihood of more housing to be added to the former plan.
Information on the Call for Sites can be found here: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/local-plan-call-for-sites-exercise
Ken Hawkins 