Bromsgrove District Local Plan - Latest News

1. Where we are in the Local Plan process

The Council is currently progressing the preparation of its new Local Plan. The analysis of the 8000 consultation responses is well underway, alongside additional evidence gathering, such as revised green belt assessment. At this stage in the process no decisions have been reached on the final strategy and the development sites required to deliver that strategy. The views expressed in the summer of 2025 are still being considered.

These views have been consolidated into Initial summaries of the Consultation responses. These summaries have been published alongside this statement please see further down the page for details.

The Council is about to consider a new timetable for plan making under the new streamlined plan making system. This will be discussed at the  20th May Council meeting, please note this meeting is to purely consider the notice of commencement, and the plan timetable  Possible development sites or new planning policies will not be part of this discussion.

2. Why residential planning applications are happening

When developers choose to submit residential planning applications is determined by a number of different factors. It is important to note that in common with many authorities nationally, the council cannot demonstrate a five‑year housing land supply. In the absence of an up‑to‑date adopted Local Plan, national planning policy increases the weight that can be given to new residential development. This creates a situation where developers seek to promote sites earlier than intended through the plan-making process, as government policy is to see a significant increase in new housing.

3. What the Council is doing to address this issue.

The Council is actively addressing this situation by:

• Prioritising work on the new Local Plan, continuing evidence preparation and site assessment.
• Scrutinising all applications rigorously, assessing them against national policy, existing local policies, environmental constraints, and infrastructure capacity.
• Working with infrastructure partners to understand and plan for the impacts of growth on schools, highways, health services, utilities, and the environment.
• Engaging with communities and stakeholders in the planning application process to ensure local views continue to input into decision-making.

4. The Council’s position

The Council recognises the challenges faced where there are increased number of planning applications for new dwellings The Council remains committed to:

• Plan-led growth, where the scale, location, and phasing of development are properly coordinated.
• Ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with development, preventing undue pressure on all types of infrastructure.
• Protecting where possible valued landscapes, heritage assets, and environmental features, ensuring development is sustainable and respects local character.
• Making decisions based on evidence, professional judgement, and national guidance.

5. What happens next?

The Council will:

• Publish the new timetable for the Local Plan and carry out the Scoping stage of plan making this summer. Then move as quickly as possible to publish the draft Local Plan for consultation giving residents, businesses, and stakeholders further opportunity to comment on proposed policies, potential site allocations, and infrastructure requirements.
• Continue to determine planning applications in accordance with relevant local and national policy.

Draft Development Strategy Consultation Representation Summaries

The following documents summarise the responses received during the Draft Development Strategy consultation, which was undertaken between 30th June and 20th October 2025. These documents cover the responses received relating to sites around settlements suggested for growth, as well as summaries for the potential site allocations. 

These documents represent a summary of all comments received on settlements suggested for growth in the Draft Development Strategy. It does not at this stage present specific individual representations, or provide any analysis of the information received. We’re not inviting comments on these documents; there will be further opportunities to engage in the plan making process as we move into the new system as explained above.