SOLIHULL’S leader and the West Midlands mayor have made a joint pledge that new development will use ‘brownfield first’ in Solihull’s future local plan.
Coun Ian Courts and regional mayor Andy Street say their pledge will address the ‘formidable challenge of defending Green Belt sites’ while building new homes.
Coun Courts said: “Giving more local people the opportunity to own a home of their own, whilst defending more of our precious Green Belt, is the formidable challenge facing all of us in our borough.
“Our Conservative Council and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street are working together to address both of these two aims. There are no easy answers to this challenge, but we believe this six-point pledge provides a way forward.”
“Having a Local Plan is critical in preventing local communities being picked off with a deluge of inappropriate planning applications and developments so we are acting to tackle this threat.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “At a regional level we are working to deliver promote a ‘brownfield first’ approach to housing – and have brought in £434million to clean up derelict sites for homes, easing pressure on Green Belt sites in places like Solihull. Without this regional approach that I am leading, with the backing of Solihull Council, the pressure for Green Belt development would be much worse.”
“Solihull Council have been exhaustive in their approach to ensure the absolute minimum impact on the Green Belt with their plans and I welcome their determination and strategy to reduce the environmental impact of providing much needed homes.”
