Council to set out timetable to start new Local Plan
News release issued:
The timetable for a new local plan for the district is being discussed by Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet at its meeting next week (Wednesday 8 April.)
The authority is getting ready to start work on a new Local Plan and the Cabinet is being asked to approve the timetable and a formal notice to start the process in line with the new 30-month timeframe that came into effect on 25 March 2026. This process is set by Central Government to support faster plan-making and delivery of sustainable housing and economic growth.
A Local Plan is essential to direct new development to sustainable locations within existing settlements and to safeguard the character and intrinsic value of our countryside by only permitting minimal development where it is needed to support the vitality of our rural communities. The Local Plan also sets out the volume and mix of housing that reflects the needs of Wyre Forest and protects our heritage and natural environment and social wellbeing from speculative developments. In planning law, the Local Plan forms part of the Development Plan for the district that acts at the starting point for the council when determining planning applications.
Wyre Forest District Council’s current Local Plan is expected to fall short of the number of housing sites needed to meet local demand, based on the latest government guidance. As a result, the council must review and update the plan to identify new locations for housing. This will help ensure a robust supply of homes, while protecting the area’s character and delivering the right mix of housing for local residents.
If the Cabinet approves the timetable, then this and a formal notice will be published on the Council’s website in April. The first public consultation is likely to start in October this year.
Residents, businesses, and stakeholders can take part in the consultation to help shape the future local plan before formal policies and site allocations for future development are set. Other public consultations are likely to take place in January-February 2027 and June-August 2027.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda said:
"This is about preparing a plan to meet the Government's housing requirements. The main driver for the preparation of the Local Plan is to identify housing sites to enable the Council to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply (5YHLS) against the local housing need assessed using the Government’s updated ‘standard method’ which has now determined a requirement of 584 homes per annum vs the previous requirement of 276 homes. We are setting out a clear timetable, so people know when and how to get involved. We will listen to the community carefully at every stage”
“Starting now keeps us on track under the new national process. We’ll publish plain‑English updates and make it easy to take part.”
The Cabinet meeting is taking place at 6pm on Wednesday 8 April. The meeting can be viewed live at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/watch and a recording will also be made available afterwards.