During 2017-2022, the four Black Country authorities (Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall) worked together to review the Black Country Core Strategy and replace this with a Black Country Plan. This joint work ended in October 2022, as explained in the statement below:
A joint statement of the Leaders of City of Wolverhampton Council, Dudley MBC, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council (19th October 2022):
“The four Local Planning authorities in the Black Country have been working together on a joint plan for the area to 2039. It is with regret that we are unable to reach agreement on the approach to planning for future development needs within the framework of the Black Country Plan.
“Local Plans for the four Black Country Councils will now provide the framework for the long-term planning of Black Country. The Black Country Plan 2039 work programme will end and we will now transition to a process focused on Local Plans. The issues of housing and employment land need will now be addressed through individual Local Plans for each of the authorities. The Councils will co-operate with each other and with other key bodies as they prepare their Local Plans."
Supporting evidence and further details, including the Draft Black Country Plan which was consulted on in summer 2021, are available at Black Country Plan Review.
On 19 October 2022, Wolverhampton Council approved a new Local Development Scheme setting out the timetable for preparation of a new Wolverhampton Local Plan. Please view Wolverhampton Local Plan for further details.