Council publishes Draft Local Plan for six‑week public consultation
Solihull residents, local businesses and other stakeholders are being invited to comment on a new Draft Local Plan which will guide development decisions across the borough for the coming years. The council has confirmed a formal six‑week Regulation 19 consultation will open next week ahead of submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
The document, described by the authority as the Local Plan – Draft Submission Plan, is being published at a point where the process addresses legal compliance and whether the plan is sound under national planning policy. Recent changes to national policy, including updated housing requirements and amendments to Green Belt policy, have been reflected in the draft.
"Residents, businesses and stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on Solihull’s new Draft Local Plan when a formal six‑week consultation opens next week."
The council says the Local Plan functions as a 'blueprint' for where major development can and cannot take place, forming the basis for future planning decisions on housing, employment, transport and the protection of open spaces. It also acknowledges the emerging strategic planning arrangements being developed by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the West Midlands Mayor, which may have implications for some aspects of long‑term infrastructure and housing provision across the wider city region.
How to take part and what happens next
Representations submitted during the Regulation 19 consultation will be published and submitted with the plan to be considered at the Examination in Public (EiP). The EiP is an independent scrutiny process overseen by an Inspector appointed on behalf of the Secretary of State. Following examination, the Inspector will issue a report that informs whether the plan can be adopted, or whether modifications are required.
- Consultation length: six weeks (Regulation 19 stage)
- Focus at this stage: legal compliance and soundness under national planning rules
- Next formal stage: Examination in Public overseen by a Secretary of State‑appointed Inspector
Local councils typically use the Regulation 19 consultation to gather final, substantive objections or support that can be considered formally at examination. At this stage the emphasis is not general comment on the draft but on matters that bear on legal compliance or the soundness of the plan — whether it is justifiable, effective and consistent with national policy.
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Regulation 19 consultation | Six‑week public consultation on draft submission plan; representations are made for EiP |
| Examination in Public (EiP) | Independent Inspector reviews representations and issues report to council/Secretary of State |
Local consequences and issues to watch
The Local Plan will determine where new housing and employment land is allocated, which protections apply to open space and Green Belt land, and how infrastructure priorities are sequenced. For residents this will influence local services, transport demand and the character of neighbourhoods. For landowners and developers it sets the policy environment for future planning applications.
Solihull Council has highlighted that the draft reflects recent national policy shifts on housing numbers and Green Belt rules. That alignment will be a focal point for representors: communities concerned about encroachment into Green Belt or loss of open space will likely challenge allocations they view as unnecessary, while developers may press for additional capacity to meet housing need.
The interaction between the borough plan and emerging regional strategies from the West Midlands Combined Authority will also be important. Where strategic decisions about transport, housing or employment are coordinated at the city‑region level, they can influence local delivery and funding priorities in Solihull.
Residents and organisations wishing to take part are advised to use the council's Emerging Local Plan webpage to submit representations. All comments received during the six‑week consultation will be considered at the Examination in Public and will form part of the formal record that the Inspector reviews before issuing recommendations.
This consultation is a key moment for anyone with a stake in Solihull's future built environment to make formal representations that could shape planning decisions for years to come.
