RESIDENTS in South Staffordshire are being asked to have their last say on plans identifying sites for housing, travellers and employment.

After a series of earlier consultations - South Staffordshire Council has published its final Site Allocations Document which sets out where new homes, extra employment land and new gypsy and travellers pitches are to be created - and a six week consultation is now underway.

Development sites have been earmarked in a number of villages across the district including Kinver where between 48 and 60 new homes are on the cards to be built on land to the east of Hyde Lane and to the south of White Hill.

Council bosses say very careful consideration has been given to selecting all of the sites which will be used to provide much-needed new and affordable homes and they have stressed that, as a result, less than one per cent of green belt land will be used for development.

Councillor Robert McCardle, cabinet member for the council’s strategic services portfolio, said: “There are undoubtedly difficult decisions to be made across South Staffordshire in striking a balance between protecting the green belt and providing new housing.

"With a growing population, lack of affordable housing and a need for 21st century older person’s housing - we are confident this plan will help us meet those needs."

He added: "I am also very pleased extra employment land will provide new job opportunities for local people and satisfy demand from key employers such as Jaguar Land Rover.”

Planning officers will be available to discuss the proposals throughout the consultation period, which launched today (Monday January 16), and drop-in sessions will be held at the council offices in Codsall - from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday February 2 and Tuesday February 21.

The consultation ends at noon on Monday February 27 - after which the council will consider responses before submitting the plan to the Secretary of State, who will appoint an independent planning inspector to hold a public examination later in the year.

A copy of the plan is available to view at the council offices in Codsall and at parish council offices, libraries and the four leisure centres in South Staffordshire - and all documents can be found on the council’s website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk/siteallocations