The final stage of consultation on a new Wolverhampton Local Plan to guide future development in the city up to 2042 has today (Monday) been launched.

Known as the ‘Publication Plan’ consultation, it means people can have their say on the final version of the plan before it is submitted to the government.

Every local authority must prepare a local plan to guide regeneration, investment and planning application decisions for at least 15 years. 

The plan identifies environmental areas to protect and enhance, sites to allocate for housing development and employment use, key transport schemes and policies to guide design and secure infrastructure.

The consultation on the ‘Publication Plan’ will run until 5pm on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Full details on how people can have their say on the ‘soundness and legal compliance’ of the plan can be viewed at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/localplan. People are encouraged to complete the online survey at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/localplan-respond.

Paper copies of the main documents can be viewed at the Civic Centre and Wolverhampton Central, Bilston and Wednesfield Libraries, where a summary leaflet and representation form will also be available.

Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “It is critical to have a Local Plan in place to provide certainty for our communities and support regeneration and investment in our city.

“We continue to promote a brownfield first approach and, while we await the outcome of the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) review, we are pressing ahead with a Wolverhampton Local Plan that does not contain any green belt sites.

“The final consultation window is now open and I would urge people to give their views on what I believe is a solid plan that will enable the city to thrive.

“The Wolverhampton Local Plan will help facilitate a vibrant mixed use city centre, enable new housing and employment opportunities on brownfield sites across the city, support local centres and strengthen the local economy.”

The ‘Publication Plan’ builds on work related to the city undertaken during the Black County Plan process and has been informed by 119 responses to the Wolverhampton ‘Issues and Preferred Options’ consultation, which took place between February and April 2024 and set out proposed policies and development sites to be included in the plan.

Responses to the ‘Publication Plan’ consultation will be considered and changes may be recommended before it is submitted to government in early 2025 for Independent Examination by a Planning Inspector.

You can view the consultation documents and speak to planning officers at the following drop-in sessions:

Wednesday 4 December, 9am – 5pm

Wolverhampton Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SH

Thursday 5 December, 3pm – 7pm and Saturday 7 December, 10am – 2pm

Wolverhampton Central Library, Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, WV1 3AX

For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/localplan.