Duty to Co-operate

The duty to co-operate was created in the Localism Act 2011, and amends the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It places a legal duty on local planning authorities, county councils in England and public bodies to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis to maximise the effectiveness of Local and Marine Plan preparation in the context of strategic cross boundary matters.

The four Black Country Authorities sent out letters to the surrounding Local Authorities in July 2018, August 2020 and April 2022 regarding the issue of housing and employment need across the Black Country and how it can be met and other cross-boundary matters. The letters asked the Local Authorities to provide an update regarding their strategic plan making. Specifically, their local plan review status and whether they would be able and willing to accommodate any housing and employment developments arising from the Black Country. A copy of the letters and responses, where received, from the Local Authorities can be viewed below.