Birmingham launches consultation on new Local Plan – key focus on Growth Zones

Birmingham City Council has opened a six-week public consultation on its Birmingham Local Plan – Focused Preferred Options Document (FPOD), running from Thursday 23 October to Thursday 4 December 2025.

The FPOD sets out the emerging Development Strategy for the city to 2044, identifying 15 Growth Zones as the main focus for new housing, employment, and regeneration. These are locations with strong regeneration potential, good public transport connections, and access to services — forming the backbone of Birmingham’s growth vision.

Key highlights

1. Fifteen Growth ZonesThe plan proposes major growth around well-connected regeneration areas, where significant new allocations are expected to come forward.A new Central Cultural Quarter Growth Zone is introduced, focusing on the Gay Village, China Town, the new Smithfield Neighbourhood, and existing entertainment and cultural assets such as the Town Hall.Amendments are also proposed to the Bordesley Park Growth Zone, alongside a new Centres for Change Policysupporting investment in local and district centres.

2. Grey Belt and Green Belt AssessmentFollowing recent changes to national planning policy, the Council has undertaken a comprehensive Green Belt assessment to understand how land performs against its purposes.Areas identified as weakly performing are being put forward as potential areas of search for future development — an important step in implementing the new “Grey Belt” approach set out in the 2024 NPPF.The Council is particularly seeking feedback on these suggested areas as part of the consultation.

3. Industrial Land ShortfallThe FPOD acknowledges an emerging shortfall of industrial and employment land within the city to 2044. Stakeholders are invited to comment on how this could be addressed, whether through redevelopment, mixed-use approaches, or collaboration with neighbouring authorities.

4. Discussion TopicsThe FPOD is described as a discussion paper, setting out key questions around:

• Housing and regeneration

• Net zero and climate resilience

• Development viability

• Green infrastructure

• Employment and industrial locations

• Green Belt / Grey Belt sites

Feedback on these themes will help refine the final policies before the next stage.

Next Steps

This consultation builds on the earlier Preferred Options consultation (Summer 2024).All comments and evidence received across both stages will inform the Publication Plan, expected in Spring 2026, ahead of formal examination.

Why it matters

Birmingham continues to face a significant housing and industrial land shortfall, with limited brownfield capacity.This consultation marks a major step toward a balanced growth strategy — combining urban regeneration, Grey Belt review, and infrastructure investment — to deliver the homes, jobs, and cultural spaces needed for the next two decades.

 The consultation runs from 23 October to 4 December 2025.Professionals, residents, and stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposals and submit their comments via the Council’s website.

#BirminghamLocalPlan #GreyBelt #PlanningConsultation #UrbanRegeneration #GrowthZones #PlanningPolicy #TylerParkes