No review for Dudley Local Plan green belt boundaries

In the latest update in the review of Dudley Council's Local Plan, inspector Louise Nurser "concurred" with the council’s position that there should be no review of green belt boundaries.

In a letter that was sent to Dudley Council following the examination process dated January 8, Ms Nurser said: "The Council has relied on paragraph 145 of the 2023 Framework, which makes clear that there is no requirement for Green Belt boundaries to be reviewed as part of the preparation of the Plan.

"In the context of this examination, I would concur with this position."

As well as approving all green belt land boundaries, Ms Nurser also approved plans to designate Corbett Meadow in Stourbridge as a green space.

She continued: "I have found that the allocation of the land at Corbett’s Meadow is consistent with paragraph 105 of the Framework, and in the context of my conclusions in relation to the housing supply, would not undermine the aim of providing sufficient land for housing."

As currently submitted, parts one and two of the Dudley Local Plan were found to be leagally complaint and to have met the Duty to Cooperate with neighbouring local authorities to fulfil housing needs, however, the plan is still "unsound" and requires a number of main modifications (MMs) before approval.

However, while Ms Nurser's latest letter is good news for Dudley's green spaces, it is not all plain sailing for the plan, which was submitted before changes to national planning policies and falls short of government targets for new homes.

The Dudley Local Plan will need to be reviewed as soon as it is approved, and work will need to begin on a new one which is compliant with the most recent government framework.

Ms Nurser said: "Once the relevant regulations come into force, the Council is expected to review the plan which I am examining and prepare a new one in accordance with the recent version of the Framework.

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"This is likely to result in a significantly different plan from the one which I have examined, including in relation to housing numbers.

"It is important that plan preparation is expedited once the regulations are enacted and that the Council does not delay in bringing forward a review of the Plan, irrespective of the status of this Plan."

She also wrote: "As submitted, the plan does not recognise its limited shelf life.

"To aid effectiveness, a MM is required to the supporting text setting out that the Council recognises its commitment to the plan’s prompt review as set out in the relevant regulations."

Following the inspector’s latest correspondence, the council said it will consult on a number of proposed modifications to the plan.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure at Dudley Council, said: “This result is a vindication of everything this administration has done to protect our green belt over the last few years.

“I know this will delight residents from across the borough who are fortunate enough to enjoy the beautiful countryside we have on our doorstep.

"I am sure the ruling on Corbett Meadow will also be welcomed by the hundreds of campaigners who have battled to keep it green.

“The upcoming consultation on modifications will be the last hurdle before we can fully approve this plan.

"We are however, guarded as the government continues to try and water down protections for the countryside at every opportunity they get, especially as they will force us to prepare an updated plan under a new system designed to stop councils preserving green belt sites.

"Whilst we have won a huge battle in this fight, the war will continue to protect our countryside."