Wyre Forest Core Strategy

The Wyre Forest District Core Strategy has been found ‘sound’ by an Independent Inspector after undergoing an Examination in Public during summer 2010.  The Core Strategy sets the strategic vision and the overarching principles for development for Wyre Forest District up until 2026 and sets out policies to achieve this vision. 

The Strategy has been developed in consultation with residents, businesses and other public bodies over the last three years.  It is one of around only 70 in the Country to be approved since their introduction in 2004. 

Cllr Stephen Clee, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: ‘’The District Council are extremely pleased that the Planning Inspectorate have approved the Core Strategy.  This puts the District in a strong position to deliver growth and manage change over the next 15 years whilst ensuring that the District’s unique character is safeguarded.  It is vital that the District has in place an up-to-date plan to manage development.  The District Council can now move forward to adopt the Core Strategy and progress with subsequent planning policy documents to allocate sites and address the regeneration of Kidderminster.’’

The District Council is one of the first authorities to receive a ‘sound’ verdict since the Government abolished Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) which had set out the level of development required.  The District Council were in support of the level of development set out within the former RSS and therefore continued with the Examination process.

The Inspector made a number of changes to the Core Strategy, including allowing greater flexibility over future development of the former British Sugar site, Stourport Road.  The site was initially allocated solely for industrial development.  However, after considering evidence submitted and undertaking a consultation on two possible options, the Inspector has concluded that given economic constraints it is necessary to allow some enabling residential development at the site in order to make development viable and deliver the required infrastructure. 

The District Council will now continue to prepare the Site Allocations and Policies and Kidderminster Central Area Action Plan (KCAAP) Development Plan Documents.  These documents will both allocate specific sites for development and the KCAAP will focus on the regeneration of Kidderminster.  A consultation will be held on both documents in Summer 2011. 

The full timetable and library of documents relating to the Core Strategy Examination can be viewed on our website.

For further information please contact Ken Harrison on 01562 732557 or Ken.Harrison@wyreforestdc.gov.uk