The Plan for the next 15 years of the Black Country goes before a planning inspector from 9th January. The Plan, baffling entitled 'Regional Spatial Strategy' is to set up common standards on everything from housing and jobs to energy and transport. The Plan was developed and published on 'www.blackcountryconsortium.co.uk' and uses source material such as 'research' commissioned by the planners and un-minuted meetings with various public and private bodies.
Individuals and voluntary groups willing to answer questions posed by the planners, were given a chance to contribute - but are not compensated in any way for their time and trouble. The fundamentals of the 'vision', that the whole Black Country should have just four significant centres (one of these being Merry Hill), cannot be overturned. Transport has also fared badly as the study misunderstood the stance of Network Rail and sets no significant rail enhancement in place.
Community group Living Streets (Birmingham branch) had concerns about the degree to which the report is 'out of touch' in assuming that all households have chosen to have a car and that no-one is old or infirm.
John