LANDOWNERS, developers, agents and community groups in Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley are being urged to put forward parcels of land for potential development.
The ‘Call For Sites’ by Wyre Forest District Council will be launched on October 1 and provides a 12-week window for areas to be discussed as part of a Local Plan review.
It is an opportunity for people who own land to tell the council if they have land available for housing, employment, leisure, gypsy and traveller sites and renewable energy generation.
The move is aimed at ensuring the council can meet its identified needs.
One of the reasons the council is carrying out the Call For Sites is due to a change to national planning policy.
The Government has revised the way housing needs figures are calculated and the district’s target has been increased by 112 per cent, meaning the number of properties which need to be built in Wyre Forest has gone up from 276-a-year to 584.
The council also needs to update its employment land assessments, open space assessments, its supply of gypsy and traveller pitches and self and custom build plots.
The Call For Sites will help the authority build a clear picture of what sites are available to determine where new housing can go.
Coun Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, planning and the green agenda, said: “The significant increase in our housing target and updates required to other assessments means we must reassess land availability across the district.
“This isn’t a process we’ve chosen.
“The council raised serious concerns about some of the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework during the consultation period.
“However, it is now necessary to carry out the Call For Sites to make sure we meet government requirements.
“This means whether you own land, represent an organisation, or simply know of a site that could make a difference – we want to hear from you.”
Submissions can be made by visiting: wyreforestdc.gov.uk/CallForSites from Wednesday, October 1, and using an online form.
A paper version will be available on request for those who need it.
Interested parties can also email: [email protected] to contact the Planning Policy Team for more information.
All submissions will be assessed using national guidance to ensure fairness and transparency.
Submitting a site does not guarantee it will be allocated or granted planning permission, but it does ensure it is considered as part of the Local Plan Review.
The Call For Sites runs until December 24.
The council will then assess all submissions as part of the evidence base for the updated Local Plan.
