Residents invited to help shape Redditch’s new Local Plan

People across Redditch are being invited to have their say on the early stages of a new Local Plan for the borough.

Following approval by councillors last week (June 29), Redditch Borough Council has moved into the Government’s new plan making system, which means a new ‘Local Plan Scoping’ consultation is now taking place.

Scoping is the first consultation stage under the new system. It focuses on what the Local Plan should contain and what the consultation and engagement strategy should be as the plan is progressed through future consultations to adoption. The scoping consultation does not include specific proposals such as the identification of development sites or the drafting of planning policies.

Cllr Matt Dormer, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “There’s a new system for Local Plan making nationally, therefore, Redditch has to go through this process too. This stage is now an early opportunity for residents and stakeholders to help shape how our new Local Plan will be prepared.

“What this stage is not about, is consulting on specific development. The focus here is on identifying the key issues for Redditch and how people will be involved in shaping the future plan. There will be further opportunities to comment as the plan develops, but this early stage is about setting the direction and getting the foundations for the process right.”

Local Plans guide development over the long term, covering housing, employment, infrastructure, and the environment, and give communities a say in how their area changes.

The new national approach to plan making is designed to create a clearer, more streamlined Local Plan process, and includes defined stages for community input.

Feedback from this consultation will inform the next stage of the Local Plan, which will be subject to further public consultation. Responses received during the council’s 2025 Issues and Options consultation, held under the previous system, will also be taken into account.

The Local Plan Scoping Consultation is now open until 5pm on 14 August.

For details and to take part, visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk/redditchplan-scoping.