Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered
The Spatial Development Strategy is a long-term project, and we know people may have questions about what it means for them.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about the SDS, how it's being developed and how you can get involved.
Which local authorities are covered by the West Midlands Spatial Development Strategy?
The West Midlands Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) is being prepared for the seven constituent authorities of the West Midlands Combined Authority:
- Birmingham City Council
- City of Coventry Council
- Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
- Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
- Walsall Council
- City of Wolverhampton Council
Together, these authorities make up the area covered by the SDS. The strategy will provide a framework for planning across this geography, while local councils will continue to prepare local plans and determine planning applications within their own areas.
How does the Spatial Development Strategy relate to neighbouring authorities outside the West Midlands Combined Authority?
Although the SDS only covers the seven West Midlands Combined Authority constituent authorities, many planning issues such as housing, transport, employment, infrastructure and the environment extend beyond local authority boundaries.
The SDS will be informed by engagement with neighbouring authorities and other relevant organisations, in line with national planning policy and legislative requirements relating to strategic cross-boundary matters. While the SDS will not apply outside the Combined Authority area, it will recognise the important relationships between the West Midlands and neighbouring areas and seek to support coordinated planning where appropriate.
What is a strategic planning issue?
Strategic planning issues are matters that affect more than one local authority area and are often difficult to address through local plans alone.
Examples may include:
- Housing growth and distribution
- Strategic employment locations
- Major transport corridors and public transport networks
- Utilities and infrastructure provision
- Flood risk and water management
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Nature recovery and environmental protection
- Green Belt and other strategic land-use considerations
The SDS provides an opportunity to consider these issues at a regional scale.
Will the SDS allocate specific development sites?
The primary role of the SDS is to establish a strategic planning framework for the West Midlands. While it may identify broad locations for growth, strategic opportunities or areas of search, detailed site allocations are generally expected to be addressed through local plans unless there is a clear reason for strategic intervention.
How will the SDS interact with local plans?
The SDS and local plans will play complementary roles.
The SDS will provide the strategic framework for issues that affect the wider West Midlands area, while local plans will continue to set out locally specific planning policies and, where appropriate, site allocations. Local authorities will remain responsible for preparing local plans and determining planning application
What evidence will inform the SDS?
The SDS will be supported by a comprehensive evidence base. This may include information relating to:
- Housing need and population change
- Employment land requirements
- Transport and connectivity
- Infrastructure capacity and delivery
- Environmental constraints and opportunities
- Climate change
- Health and wellbeing
- Viability and deliverability
This evidence will help ensure that the strategy is robust, proportionate and informed by the latest available information.
How will infrastructure be considered?
The SDS will consider how future growth can be aligned with existing and planned infrastructure. This includes transport networks, utilities, education facilities, healthcare provision, digital connectivity and green infrastructure.
This helps support sustainable development by ensuring that homes, jobs and services are planned in a coordinated way.
Will the SDS change how planning applications are decided?
Planning applications will continue to be determined by the relevant local planning authority.
Once adopted, the SDS will form part of the statutory development plan and will be taken into account alongside local plans and national planning policy when planning decisions are made.
Further information
If you have any further questions on the SDS, please contact Nadya Wigglesworth (Spatial Planning Programme and Engagement Officer).