Dudley Council

Dudley Borough Local Plan Scoping Consultation Document

Ends on 10th September 2026 (56 days remaining)

7. Analysis of key issues for the new Local Plan

Section 6 has identified some key issues arising from the baseline data and existing corporate strategies (see Section 1). The key issues identified from the baseline information have been used to inform a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats ‘SWOT’ analysis for the borough. A SWOT analysis provides a ‘structured’ way to understand and present the context of an area.

National guidance specifies that SWOT analysis may support the preparation of a Local Plan vision and ‘measurable outcomes’. Therefore, to support the identification of the ‘key priorities’ for our vision and associated measurable outcomes we have undertaken a SWOT analysis for Dudley which is summarised in the Table 2 below.

Table 2: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats ‘SWOT’ analysis for Dudley Borough

Strengths

Weaknesses
  • Wealth of natural and historic environment assets that contribute to the attractive character and economic potential of the borough e.g., tourism opportunities and heritage-led regeneration. For example, Dudley Castle and Zoo, Black Country Living Museum, Geopark, Wrens Nest, Leasowes Park.
  • Strong local sense of identity, linked with Dudley’s distinctive history, towns and communities.
  • Majority of the borough is an urban environment which provides a range of land uses, a network of centres and sustainable transport routes, with access to a range of facilities and services.
  • Key economic assets of sub-regional importance (e.g. Merry Hill shopping centre, Pensnett Trading Estate) and an important manufacturing base.
  • Strategic location in the centre of the Midlands with access to the national motorway and regional road network. Recent and ongoing investment in sustainable transport upgrades, including Midland Metro and Dudley Interchange, alongside active travel links and public realm improvements.
  • Recent and ongoing investment in learning infrastructure
  • Borough is geographically constrained, limiting the range of opportunities for future sustainable development and growth. Relatively few large sites, and a larger number of smaller stalled and derelict sites.
  • Current identified shortfalls in housing and employment land supply, with implications for the local economic and housing markets.
  • Risk of unsustainable development and adverse impacts arising from significantly increased levels of growth (particularly for housing needs identified via the national standard method).
  • The more pronounced trend of an ageing population within the borough has implications for housing, the economy and service provision.
  • Challenging economic conditions, linked with long-term processes of industrial restructuring.
  • Changes in retail sector impacting upon vitality and viability of the borough’s strategic and town centres- need for wider mix of uses to diversify from retail

Opportunities

Threats
  • Further regeneration potential, particularly drawing upon the heritage and cultural assets of the borough (e.g., at Dudley Zoo and Castle and its associated grounds).
  • Major investment in Metro extension to Dudley town and Brierley Hill, with opportunities to build on this through wider investment in sustainable and active travel. Potential to support the deliverability of development sites along these new routes, fostering wider regeneration in the borough.
  • Further regeneration in the borough’s key strategic and town centres, with delivery already underway, linked to opportunities for visitor economy and education/health sector growth.
  • Scope to take advantage of growth opportunities in the rest of the Black Country and the West Midlands (through improved connectivity and accessibility).
  • New/emerging industrial and advanced manufacturing opportunities (e.g. linked with net zero transition) and scope for economic diversification. This could assist with the regeneration and repurposing of underutilised space and land within the borough e.g., in local employment areas and the town centres.
  • Scope to develop the innovation offer, building on investment in the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre.
  • Areas of relatively high deprivation impacting upon quality of life for residents, economic growth potential, and increasing pressure on infrastructure services.
  • Relatively higher levels of economic inactivity (primarily due to ill health) and relatively lower education and skill levels impacting upon economic growth potential (including for the borough’s strategic and town centres e.g., ‘spending power’).
  • Reliance on private transport and historically weak public transport connectivity (relative to Dudley’s metropolitan location) leading to road congestion and longer journey times.
  • Market demand and viability challenges due to relatively higher abnormal costs (associated with brownfield land development, particularly contaminated land arising from industrial legacy) and relatively low land values.
  • Challenges arising from climate change including extreme weather, increased flooding.
  • Infrastructure service provision gaps needing to be addressed to support future development, including education, health and transport.
  • Loss of skilled workforce to opportunities elsewhere.

Question 14. Do you agree with the analysis of the key issues and the SWOT? Comment

Question 15. Are there other Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats we should consider when determining the ‘key priorities; of our vision and measurable outcomes? Comment

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