The Forum has launched a 10-Point Plan. This is aimed at influencing the Council’s work on the Local Plan Review. In addition to issuing to the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Councillors, it has been sent to members of the Cabinet (Chaired by Cllr Courts), the CPH Climate Change & Planning Decision Session (Chaired by Cllr Mackiewicz) and Planning Officers.
Forum Chair Nigel Moore said, “The 10-Point Plan draws on our response to the Council’s ‘Issues and Options’ consultation. We want to influence the direction of work on the Local Plan Review. This needs to be done as soon as possible before it’s too late to change direction.”
Read the Forum’s 10-Point Plan for the Local Plan Mar 2026
BACKGROUND
Council officers are currently working on a replacement to the Solihull Local Plan 2013. An earlier replacement plan had to be withdrawn, even though it had reached the stage of examination by a Planning Inspector. This was because of disagreement over the number of houses that would be needed and where they should go.
A first stage formal consultation on the ‘new’ replacement plan or ‘Local Plan Review’ has already taken place. This was represented by the ‘Issues and Options’ consultation which closed in mid-March. The key points in the Forum’s 10-Point Plan are included in the Forum’s response to the consultation. It is important that the points are addressed straight away, before thinking becomes too entrenched.
The next major milestone is likely to be at the end of the summer. Councillors will then approve, as a basis for consultation, the version of the Plan that will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. ‘Representations’ will be invited following consideration of the draft Plan by the Council. Before the end of the year, everything will be submitted for consideration and examination by the Planning Inspectorate – the draft Local Plan Review and all the representations. ‘Examination’ by a Planning Inspector will probably take place during 2027.