Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 429

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

Labour does want assurances that proper consideration is given to social need. Labour is of the view that where council land is sold / redeveloped (regardless of current use) first consideration should be given to meet the need for Housing for Social Rent. Exceptions should only be approved by Full Council. In this context other forms of ‘affordable rent’ should be considered an exception.

References in the plan relating to Policy DLP12 Delivering Affordable, Wheelchair Accessible and Self-Build / Custom-Build Housing, should breakdown the 60% allocation to indicate the split between social rent and affordable rent. This split should be periodically reviewed in line with current local housing need, assessed against relevant criteria applicable at the time. This is to ensure that the Council meets it’s obligations to those who cannot afford so-called ‘affordable rent’ as in practice this is simply a rent discounted from the market rent and in many cases is far from genuinely affordable.

To put that in context, social rent is set through the National Rent Regime in England at around 50% of market rents.

Affordable rental properties are homes let at least 20% below local market rents. Intermediate rental properties are let at rates set between market rents and social rents. With rents in the private sector at their current levels, affordable rent is anything but genuinely affordable for a
huge proportion of our population.

Comment

Representation ID: 430

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

How will the Council plan for additional educational demands for both nursery and schools?

Comment

Representation ID: 431

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

How will DLP ensure these new developments have the infrastructure to ensure these new homes/ neighbourhoods are sustainable?

Comment

Representation ID: 432

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

How will the Council ensure the roads and transport links are able to cope with increased vehicle use and what representations does it intend to make to improve local transport provision to meet the needs of an expanding population?

Comment

Representation ID: 433

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

How will the Council ensure the planning framework helps protect and provide green spaces for community use in the new neighbourhoods?

Comment

Representation ID: 434

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

The Dudley Local Plan ( DLP) has identified a significant shortfall of vital employment land that we feel will
hold back our borough’s economic development. The proposed mitigation measures within the DLP will not benefit our borough and could hinder the effectiveness of the vision to be truly realised.

Of the 72 ha , 23 ha would be needed for manufacturing sector and 49 ha for logistics/storage sectors. These two sectors are the economic drivers for the Dudley’s economy and having a shortfall in these key sectors could be damaging to the growth prospects of these sectors and those employed in them.

The concern is that the FEMA arrangements present a methodology for DMBC to help meet its obligations to deliver employment land outputs , however these will be
elsewhere in neighbouring authorities and not within the borough’s boundary.

Existing Dudley businesses cannot find new larger premises to grow their businesses and employ more local people in the borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 436

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

REGEN CORRIDOR 13
In the previous Black Country Plan, the Regeneration Corridor 13 - Jewellery Line- Rowley Regis to Stourbridge Junction was an integral part of the regeneration corridor that ran through the Sandwell and Dudley area. The rail line, in parts, forms the boundary of Halesowen. The rail line, although termed Rowley Regis, also straddles the border of areas of North Halesowen and links the town via trains to London and beyond.

As Rowley Regis Station is literally yards from the Halesowen Town boundary, the Regeneration Corridor and the strategic rail has been instrumental in helping secure investment of two hundred plus new homes and business units in this northern part of Halesowen, off Cakemore Road and Nimmings Road.

Comment

Representation ID: 437

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

REGENERATION CORRIDOR 14

This corridor has been omitted. the revised Regeneration Corridor exercise undertaken by DMBC officers totally excludes the strategic location of Halesowen as an integral part of the revised Regeneration Corridor that was in existence as it was when it was in the Black Country Core Strategy Plan.

This oversight needs to be addressed as Halesowen Town should be benefiting regeneration funding streams to further unlock its potential as a key economic town of the Borough. Other Positive Attributes for it’s Inclusion in the Corridor.

Comment

Representation ID: 438

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

Dudley has an abundance of heritage and culture to offer as a visitor attraction.
However, we are not assured that this offer is being exploited to it’s full potential.
There is a need to create the right environment and to ensure there is a joined up
approach by DMBC, its key attractions and the hospitality sector, each working closely
with public agencies like WMCA and the Heart of England Tourist Board to better
coordinate a marketing campaign to attract further visitors to help deliver economic
benefits for Dudley .
It is essential the key findings of the recent LGA Peer Review as outlined on page 13 ,
third paragraph ‘ the tourism and visitor offer are important, and the Council could be clearer on how this could fit with the regeneration proposals . The development of a strategic marketing approach for the visitor economy would be useful ‘. This theme is captured as one of the key recommendations from the Peer Review , Recommendation 19 : Develop a place marketing approach for the visitor and tourism economy .

Comment

Representation ID: 439

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

EVIDENCE BASE

Labour considers that one of the key strands of work that needs to be done from the emerging Regeneration Strategy is to undertake a detailed audit of the existing
employment land use in the borough. This should;
Clearly map out occupancy rates
Identify where is there low occupancy.
Identify the barriers to full occupancy and how can they be addressed to ensure occupancy is maximised. For example, is it stock condition, or other factors like the
environment, safety concerns, access to the business locations, public transport issues etc?

The audit should then translate into specific actions to collaborate with owners and business estates to help maximise usage of existing employment to help close the gap.

It could identify funding opportunities to help lever in owners who may not be interested in funding improvements to their land / properties.