Latest news and updates
This webpage sets out recent news and updates during the examination process.
Details of Weeks 2 and 3 Hearings - 23 July 2025
The updated Programme for the hearing sessions to be held in September, together with the Inspector’s Matters, Issues and Questions for discussion at the hearing sessions and her updated Guidance Notes can be viewed in the Examination documents at SA/ED58 through to SA/ED60. For further information on the hearings please see the Hearing Sessions page.
Inspector's Agendas for Week 1 Hearings - 7 July 2025
The Inspector's Agendas for the first week of the hearing sessions, opening on Tuesday 15th July, can be accessed on the Hearing Sessions page.
Letter from Telford & Wrekin Council regarding GBBCHMA Statement of Common Ground - 20 June 2025
Telford & Wrekin Co-operative Council has written to Sandwell Council concerning the GBBCHMA Housing Market Area Statement of Common Ground. Their letter can be viewed on the Examination documents page at SA/ED55.
GBBCHMA Statement of Common Ground - 19 June 2025
The final version of the SoCG between parties in the Greater Birmingham and Black Country Housing Market Area (GBBCHMA) is now available at SA/ED54 on the Examination Documents page.
Week 1 Hearing Statements - 16 June 2025
Hearing statements in response to the Inspector's Matters, Issues and Questions for the Week 1 hearings can be viewed on the Hearing Statements page.
Responses to Sandwell Council's Regulation 19 consultation on their proposed main modifications - 16 June 2025
The responses to the recent Regulation 19 consultation run by the Council on their proposed Main Modifications can be viewed on the Responses to Regulation 19 Consultations page.
The evience documents for this consultation can be viewed on the Examination Documents page together with the Council's current Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications at SA/ED49 to SA/ED53.
Additional Documents - 4 June 2025
The Council has submitted various documents that can be viewed on the Examination Documents page at reference numbers SA/ED36 through to SA/ED46 inclusive.
Details of Hearing Sessions - 8 May 2025
The dates for the hearing sessions have been arranged and these will open at 09:30 hrs on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Please see the Hearing Sessions page for full details.
Sandwell Council's Regulation 19 consultation on their proposed main modifications - 28 April 2025
Sandwell Council is inviting representations under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 to three main modifications to the Sandwell Local Plan proposed by the Council. The consultation period is from 09:00am Monday 28 April to 17:00pm Monday 9 June 2025. Further information on the consultation is available at https://sandwell.oc2.uk/
Council's full response to Inspector's initial letter - 25 March 2025
The Council has replied to the Inspector’s Initial letter (SA/ED4) and the documents can be viewed in the Examination Documents webpage at SA/ED14 through to SA/ED31 inclusive.
Council's response to Inspector's initial letter - 11 February 2025
The Council has responded to the Inspector’s Initial questions and the Council’s reply can be viewed in the Examiantion Documents webpage at SA/ED6 through to SA/ED8.
Inspector's initial letter - 28 January 2025
The Inspector has written to the Council with her initial questions. The letter is posted on the Examination Documents webpage with the reference SA/ED4.
Appointment of Inspector - 2 January 2025
Inspector C Jack BSc (Hons) MA MA(TP) MRTPI from the Planning Inspectorate has been appointed by the Secretary of State to carry out the independent examination of the Local Plan.
Submission - 11 December 2024
The Sandwell Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination on 11 December 2024.