Local plan promotes 'brownfield-first approach'

A council has submitted a local plan, which focuses on building on brownfield land and regeneration.

The City of Wolverhampton Council's plan will guide future development in the city up to 2042. It has been sent to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for an independent public examination.

Among the key features identified are areas for housing, environmental areas to protect, and key transport schemes to guide design and secure infrastructure.

"We continue to promote a brownfield-first approach, and we are pressing ahead with a Wolverhampton Local Plan that does not contain any green belt sites," said councillor Chris Burden.

"It is critical to have a Local Plan in place to provide certainty for our communities and support regeneration and investment in our city.

"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 plan builds on work undertaken during the Black Country plan process and has been informed by two consultations in the last 12 months.

The council had already made it a priority to use brownfield land.

In February, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) gave a £20m loan to the city's Canalside South scheme, which will see more than 530 homes delivered across the former British Steel and Crane Foundry site and land off Qualcast Road, which has been derelict for 15 years.

In November, more than £1m of government funding was secured for two brownfield housing developments - on the former Loxdale Primary School in Bilston and Stowheath Day Training Centre, in East Park.

All councils are required to prepare a Local Plan that decides where new development will be located, how development will be designed and managed, and which areas will be protected from development.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.