Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 440

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

EVIDENCE BASE

This DMBC Programme should be focused to identify land sites that can be acquired and then made into employment land, if their locations are in employment areas, to help increase land for employment.

DMBC could prioritise action on derelict sites in high demand areas to help deliver much needed land for employment use. This could include collaboration with owners or use CPO powers to acquire land and use grant funding to prep sites for employment use

Comment

Representation ID: 441

Received: 19/01/2024

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

It is essential that DMBC continues to secure funding and investment in our centres in line with these policies so they can adapt, evolve, and continue to thrive. As well as
delivering economic benefits, the centres are importantly a focal destination for residents to visit for leisure and social interaction as community hearts of the surrounding towns and neighbourhoods.

There is concern that little is noted in the DLP of the ongoing need to ensure the 15 local centres that provide an economic and community role in our neighbourhoods are not overlooked. These centres warrant more
than the annual vitality health checks to assess their conditions. The local centres are very much the beating hearts of their wards and the council need to ensure they remain fit for purpose, providing a valuable role as places for local shopping and meeting up.

Action plans and health checks should be carried out on these.