Area Assessment Study

In conjunction with the SHLAA this evidence base document was written to help identify the most suitable development sites prior to a Green Belt Review. Whilst the SHLAA primarily considers sites that are promoted to the Council, this assessment goes a step further by assessing all parcels of land around settlements regardless of the availability of the land. This will also ensure that the most sustainable sites are chosen.

The area assessment work commenced prior to publication of the Draft Core Strategy 2 (DCS2) in 2011 in conjunction with ‘Bromsgrove Development Options’ and was written within an uncertain political and planning context. The Panel Report into the Phase 2 Revision of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy identified an initial housing target of 4,000 over the period 2006-2021 with the potential for a further 2,000-3,000 between 2021 and 2026 if it could be accommodated in a sustainable manner. The initial purpose of this work was to identify the most appropriate way to deliver the initial 4,000 homes when considering all reasonable alternatives.