CASE STUDY
Sustainability Appraisal
Black Country, UK
Project Type
Sustainability Appraisal
Client
Black Country Local Authorities
Location
Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall & Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK
Keywords
- Green Belt
- Industrial heritage
- Integrated transportation
- Environmental infrastructure
Joint Local Planning project in the West Midlands: Sustainability Appraisal of the Black Country Plan.
The Black Country is a predominantly urban sub-region of the West Midlands, located to the west and north west of Birmingham. It is culturally diverse and has a rich industrial heritage including its extensive canal network which opened up the mineral wealth of the area for exploitation during the Industrial Revolution.
Lepus was appointed to work alongside the four Black Country Authorities (Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Council and City of Wolverhampton Council) to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) to inform the Black Country Plan. The Black Country Plan sets out the long-term spatial vision and strategy for the Black Country and identifies which broad areas are suitable for housing, employment and other strategic development needs.
Through the SA process we identified, described and evaluated the likely significant effects of the JCS and its reasonable alternatives. In addition, we provided an early and effective opportunity for statutory consultees, interested parties and the public to offer views on any aspect of the SA process. The Black Country Core Strategy was adopted on 3rd February 2011 and now forms the basis for the emerging Black Country Plan.
The Black Country Authorities are in the process of reviewing their strategy to address future development needs. Lepus continues to work closely with the four authorities to assess and incorporate principles of sustainable development through the process of SA. Key aspects of the project include Green Belt review, loss of employment sites to housing and significant air quality issues.
The SA process is currently assessing spatial options, sites and policies as the plan-making continues to inform the final site selection process and shape the supporting policies.
