The Black Country needs your voice!

People living across the Black Country are being urged to have their say on future development plans for the region. Some big decisions need to be made on important issues that will affect the Black Country, up to 2036.

The Black Country Core Strategy is a regeneration plan which sets out the future development of the area. It plans for housing needs, jobs and employment, transport, as well as taking the local environment into consideration. The views of people from Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton are being sought to make sure the plan reflects local needs and meets the challenges and presents opportunities for local people.

A public consultation launched on July 3 and runs throughout the summer until September 8 2017.  By taking part in this and having a say, local people will help plan for the very best Black Country.

Key questions that are central to the plans include:

• 78,000 new homes need to built across the region, plus more employment land is needed – where should these go?

• what transport improvements are needed to improve the area’s connections?

• what new community facilities might we need to support the area’s future growth?

It’s easy to take part online by visiting blackcountrycorestrategy.dudley.gov.uk or you can pick up a leaflet from your local library (with a prepaid questionnaire) or request one by calling 01384 814136.

Don’t miss your chance to have your say – your views will help develop plans which will shape the Black Country over the coming years, affecting everyone’s future.