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PEOPLE across the borough are being given chance to air their views on how they think the Black Country should develop over the coming years.

Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils are urging residents and businesses to have their say on the important Black Country Core Strategy Preferred Options document.

People have until April 28 to have a say on the strategy, which sets out the future for new development up to 2026.

Construction of thousands of new homes and major new office developments, as well as the protection and development of employment land and the shaping of town centres, are at the heart of the plans - which aim to create high quality, distinctive places where people will want to live and work.

Preserving and developing the area's canals, open spaces and industrial and architectural heritage are also a major part of the plans.

Dave Wood, chairman of the Black Country Core Strategy steering group, which is overseeing the production of the document, said: "The Black Country local authorities want people to have equal access to a choice of housing, including affordable housing and a range of quality jobs, community services and facilities, including lifelong learning, healthcare and sport.

"Achieving this vision will require ensuring the Black Country has places and spaces that make the most of brownfield sites in the area and deal with the likely effects of climate change.

"These proposals will affect everyone living, working and travelling in the Black Country over the next 20 years."

As part of the consultation process, Dudley Council is holding open events - giving the public chance to talk to planning officers about the proposals.

Drop-in sessions kick off today (Friday March 28) at Kingswinford Community Centre, High Street, Kingswinford.

Further sessions (all of which run from 10am to 4pm) will run at Dudley Council Plus, Castle Street, Dudley, on Monday March 31; at Halesowen's Cornbow Hall on Friday April 4; and at Lye Community Centre, Cross Walks Road, Lye, on Friday April 11.

For more information about the Black Country Core Strategy Preferred Options document go to http://blackcountrycorestrategy.dudley.gov.uk/, email blackcountrycorestrategy@dudley.gov.uk or telephone 01384 816967.

10:14am Friday 28th March 2008

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