Local Plan Update & Next Steps

Our community was originally blindsided by the Local Plan proposals, which were first reported in The Star newspaper on April 24.

Like many, we were shocked to discover the scale and potential impact of the proposed developments in our area - and it quickly became clear that S13 needed a strong, organised response.

The campaign was started by Sapphire McCarthy to protect the green spaces that make our community unique and to ensure residents have a real voice in the process.

It is rooted in the understanding that, under the proposed plan, large areas of green belt around S13 would lose their protection and be completely transformed by development.

These wild, open spaces - which provide vital habitats for wildlife, places for recreation and wellbeing, and a natural barrier against urban sprawl - would be lost forever if the plan were allowed to proceed.

🌳 What We Set Out to Do

From the outset, we focused on four key objectives:

• 1. Understand the Local Plan and its implications.
  
  We’ve reviewed the proposals in detail and engaged directly with the Inspector’s office to clarify the process and our rights as a community.
• 2. Engage professional and political support.
  
  Thanks to successful fundraising, we’ve been able to bring on-board experienced planners and a barrister to represent our case. We’ve also worked with our MP’s office and local councillors to ensure S13’s concerns are heard.
• 3. Inform and mobilize the community.
  
  Through social media, posters, leaflets, emails, and local drop-in sessions, we’ve kept residents informed about what’s happening and how they can get involved.
• 4. Present a robust argument against the proposed development.
  
  Our professional team has submitted a detailed objection on behalf of the community and represented us across three days of the Local Plan hearings. Encouragingly, our MP’s objection aligns with many of our concerns.

🌳 Where We Are Now

We’ve made strong progress - but the process isn’t over yet. The Local Plan continues to evolve, and several possible outcomes remain:

• If the plan goes forward unchanged
  
  We may need to consider a Judicial Review (JDR). This would be a significant undertaking, with an estimated cost of around £80,000 - meaning we’d likely need to combine efforts with other local groups.
• If the plan is modified but S13 remains unchanged
  
  The same JDR option may still need to be explored.
• If the plan fails
  
  That’s a win - at least for now. We’ll continue monitoring progress and keeping the Save S13 Green Belt work going.
• If the plan changes in our favor
  
  For example, with Bramley Common or Handsworth Hall Farm being removed - we’ll stay engaged to ensure those outcomes are protected for the long term.

🌳 Looking Ahead

There’s now a break in the hearings until November 2025. Our planning team will attend one of the sessions during that time on our behalf. Once the hearings wrap up, the Inspectors will take time to go through everything they’ve seen, read, and heard before making their decisions.

We’ll keep everyone posted on next steps and timings as soon as we know more, though it’s unlikely we’ll have any major updates until 2026. As always, we’ll share any news or progress here and on our website as soon as we hear anything.

🌳 Continuing the Work

As we prepare for the next phase, we’ll need to stay focused on our key priorities:

• Keeping our social media and website up to date.
• Maintaining open communication with the wider S13 community.
• Strengthening ties with other local groups, including the Friends of Shirtcliffe, who care for the ancient woodland immediately adjacent to the Bramley Common site.

Together, we’ve built real momentum. What began as a shock has become a coordinated, determined effort to protect our area.

With continued collaboration, persistence, and community spirit, we can keep making a difference - and help save S13’s green belt.