'It is a plan without a plan' - Housing developers withdraw support for Dudley Council's proposals
Dudley Council’s proposals for the future of the borough are a ‘plan without a plan’ according to a major housebuilding company.
The authority’s Dudley Local Plan has been under scrutiny during hearings hosted by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.
Inspector Louise Nurser has been taking a detailed look at the plan to determine whether it can be approved and set the council’s strategy for housing and industrial redevelopment for the next 15 years.
The council’s plan does not set aside greenbelt land for housing, a policy which has been criticised by developers who say housing needs cannot be met without greenbelt being included.
During a session of the enquiry on June 26, Paul Hill, representing St Mowden Homes, referred to a similar enquiry in Cannock, where greenbelt sites were included.
Mr Hill said: “That’s a plan that is delivering its requirement, making a contribution to the wider HMA (Housing Market Area) shortfall.
“What I find very notable is that, around this table, you don’t have the development industry supporting this plan. This is the only plan I am aware of that is not delivering its housing need, in effect it is a plan without a plan.
“The sites that are identified would come forward anyway without a plan, it’s not meeting housing needs over the plan period.”
The council argues its plan fits with the national policy guidelines in force when it was submitted.
Those guidelines have now been superseded but the council says it is under no obligation to include greenbelt land.
Elizabeth Vesty, from Dudley Council, said: “The council considers this plan has taken a positive approach to the provision of development in the borough.
“Regeneration is an absolute priority for the council and residents of the borough. We have ensured the proposed plan, within our centres and along our regeneration corridors, aligns with infrastructure plans in place to ensure this regeneration and investment does happen.
“On that basis we consider the growth proposed is deliverable and it meets the regeneration priorities of the council.”
