Issue - meetings

The Chairman welcomed to the Meeting Mark Middleton from Worcestershire County Council. Mr. Middleton gave a presentation on the “partial revision” of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. Members were reminded of the importance of the Regional Spatial Strategy which had replaced the County Structure Plan as the statutory framework for development in the Region until at least 2021.

Following the presentation Members raised in particular the issues of new housing proposal figures and the interrelated issue of affordable housing. Mr. Middleton stated that there were three possible options for the numbers of new dwellings over a twenty five year period. The figures for Bromsgrove District were:

Option 1 - 3,800

Option 2 - 4,700

Option 3 - 7,200

There was concern that these figures appeared to be inconsistent with the Council’s targets for provision of affordable housing. There was also discussion regarding the housing allocations of neighbouring Authorities and the implications of these in terms of Bromsgrove’s role as a largely Green Belt Authority. The density of developments and the quality of design would also be important issues.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Middleton for his presentation and reminded members that the issues discussed would form part of this Council’s response to the Regional Spatial Strategy revision.

RESOLVED:  that the contents of the presentation be noted.