Welcome to the web pages of Sandwell MBC's Spatial Planning.

Spatial Planning
Development House
Lombard Street
West Bromwich
B70 8RU

Tel: 0121 569 4054/4055
Fax: 0121 569 4072
Email: planning@sandwell.gov.uk
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 8.00am - 5.30pm. Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm

Building Consultancy

Building Consultancy has a number of responsibilities, the main one being the administration and enforcement of the Building Regulations relating to new buildings, or the alteration, extension, or change of use of existing buildings, and the installation of certain controlled fittings. Pre-application discussions and meetings with Building Control Officers are encouraged to ensure a quick and efficient process from registration to completion.

Other areas of activity relate to buildings that are considered to be a danger to the public, buildings that are to be demolished, the placing of scaffolds or safety hoardings on the public highway, which requires the permission of the Council. The administration of these processes are the responsibility of the Unit along with the implementation of Safety of Sports Grounds legislation.

Development Control

Sandwell’s Development Control provides a range of planning services including advising when planning permission is required, pre-application advice, the processing of planning applications, process of appeals, and enforcement action that contravenes planning laws. Planning application forms can be downloaded and actively encourage and welcome applications to be submitted on line via the planning portal. All applications can be viewed on line and you can add your comments within the 21 day consultation period. Officers are available to provide advice at our offices in Lombard Street, West Bromwich.

The following links offers access to either Textural Guidance and Downloadable Application Forms relating to Planning and Building Regulation matters:

• Planning Appeals
• Planning Applications
• Planning Committee

Planning Public Access system

Local Land Charges

Local Land Charges carries out all official searches covered by the Local Land Charges Act 1975, guaranteeing comprehensive replies of the official LLC1 and CON29 enquiries.

You can request a search online via email, check your property is within the borough of Sandwell, find out the relative fee needed for our services and general background information about a local search. All full Local Authority Searches (LLC1 and Con29) deposited will receive a Limestone report, copies of Approved Town Planning Decision Notices, Building Regulation Approval Notices and Completion Certificates free of charge.

Planning Development

Planning Development has responsibility of achieving change in the Borough: We promote regeneration in town centres and commercial areas in partnership with the Urban Regeneration Company, Regenco and Urban Living pathfinder; promote and maximise the quality of buildings and spaces in Sandwell, working alongside fellow departments. Urban design considerations are integral to the planning process; Housing and community delivery bring about change in residential areas, in partnership with Urban Living, Greets Green NDC and Sandwell Homes, assist in the provision of sites for residential development as part of the Council’s Land Development Programme and sites for the provision of community facilities and services; provide the statutory archaeology and historic environment service for the council. We advise on and implement developments/projects to preserve, conserve and enhance the heritage of the borough, including canals and urban trees.

Planning Policy

Strategic Planning and Research along with Local Plans provides the Planning Policy Framework for Sandwell and the six towns within. It also sets out the general policies which applications for development will be judged against. These are

• the Adopted Sandwell Unitary Development Plan (2004) which sets out detailed policies and proposals for how land in Sandwell will be used which will be replaced by the LDF under the ‘new’ planning system arrangements. In addition key area based documents were adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to provide a robust basis for detailed land-use planning in Sandwell.
• the Local Development Framework (LDF) replaces the old Development Plan system. The LDF is a folder of documents, which will set the scene for the development and regeneration of the borough over the next 20 years and will comprise several documents.

Transportation Planning

The Transportation Planning function is part of the Urban Regeneration theme of Sandwell Council and assists with the development of transport policy and transport schemes within the borough of Sandwell and in partnership with neigbouring Local Authorities.

Policies and schemes are detailed in documents such as The West Midlands Local Transport Plan, Sandwell’s Unitary Development Plan, Sandwell’s Transport Vision 2020 and Supplementary Planning Documents. We also promote sustainable transport, such as cycling, walking, using public transport and car sharing through theTravelWise initiative.

In addition, Transportation Planning includes the Passenger Transport Unit (PTU) which provides a council-wide service for the organising and contracting of passenger transport services. Finally, the Public Rights Of Way (PROW) team manages the PROW network in Sandwell. This includes processing statutory orders and modifications to the PROW Maps, being responsible for enforcement and the removal of obstructions, preparing the Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan and providing assistance to the Sandwell Local Access Forum.

West Midlands Planning Aid Service (WMPAS)

West Midlands Planning Aid Service (WMPAS) provides free and independent advice on town planning issues to community groups and individuals who cannot afford professional fees. It is part of the Royal Town Planning Institute. It is a charitable organisation independent of central and local government. It has paid staff as well as a strong volunteer network.

Planning Aid can enable communities and prepare them for their involvement with local authorities and the planning process.

West Midlands Planning Aid Service can be contacted at:

West Midlands Planning Aid Service
First Floor, Griffin House
18 Ludgate Hill
Birmingham
B3 1DW

e-mail: wmcw@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
Tel: 0121 236 8876
website: www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk