This SPD sets out guidance for addressing air quality issues, especially as a result of transport emissions. It is aimed at all those involved in the submission and determination of planning applications where air quality needs to be considered. The SPD was adopted by Walsall Council’s Cabinet on the 8th February 2017.

Air quality is not limited to local authority boundaries and the effects of development can have impacts across wide areas. This joint SPD has been developed to cover the four local authority areas (Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton, as well as Walsall) to enable a consistent approach to air quality across the Black Country. All four authorities have declared the whole of their areas as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in respect of levels of nitrogen dioxide, primarily associated with vehicle emissions.

• Black Country Air Quality SPD (February2017)

Consultation on the document was undertaken between 29th February and the 25th April 2016. The Consultation Statement below provides further details on the consultation undertaken and the responses received. The Adoption Statement is also available to view below:

• Consultation Statement
• Adoption Statement

There is an obligation on local planning authorities to address the requirements in respect of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for any land use plan or programme “which sets the framework for future development consent of projects”. The Screening Statement can be accessed by viewing the link below:

• SEA Screening Statement

The SPD was adopted by Walsall Council at its Cabinet meeting on the 29 April 2015.  

The SPD forms part of a suite of planning policy documents that support the Development Plan.  In this instance it provides greater detail to Policies ENV32 (Design and development Proposals) and ENV35 (Appearance of Commercial Buildings) of the Unitary Development Plan.  The SPD looks to improve the standard of shop fronts within the borough including the quality of advertisements, lighting, security and overall design. The adopted SPD can be accessed by viewing the link below:

• Shop Front SPD (PDF 2.36MB)

Consultation was undertaken between 15th September 2014 and 31st October 2014.  The adoption statement and consultation details are included in the main SPD.  The draft documents were screened under the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations. The Council’s Screening Statement and Determination on Strategic Environmental Assessment can be viewed by following the links below:

• SEA Screening Statement 
• Determination Statement

The council adopted an SPD to provide design and development guidance for Walsall Waterfront on 8 November 2006.

• Waterfront SPD (PDF 3MB)
  • SA Report
  • Consultation Statement including Annex 1 and Annex 2

• Affordable Housing SPD (PDF 177KB)

The consultation which took place between Monday 16th September and Monday 28th October 2013, has now closed.  Thank you to everyone that responded to the consultation. We are not proceeding with this revision at the present time. The existing version will continue to be used. The draft revised document was screened under the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations.

• SEA Screening Statement (PDF 142KB)
• SEA Determination

The council adopted an SPD concerned with contributions from housing developments to provide, improve or maintain open spaces on 12 April 2006.

• Urban Open Space SPD (PDF 130KB) including Urban open space contribution reckoner (Excel 24KB)
  • Urban open space SPD SA final (PDF 121KB)
  • Urban open space SPD SOC final (PDF 66KB)

The revised version of the Conserving Walsall’s Natural Environment SPD was adopted by the Council on 24 July 2013.

• Revised Conserving Walsall’s Natural Environment SPD (PDF 1.58MB) including the design sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
• Adoption Statement (PDF 13KB)
• Consultation Statement (PDF 278KB)

The revised version of the Designing Walsall SPD was adopted by the Council on 24 July 2013.

1. Introduction (PDF)
2. What is designing Walsall (PDF)
3. National Design Guidance (PDF)
4. Designing in Walsall: The Vision (PDF)
5. Urban Design Policies in the Walsall Context (PDF)
6. Local Character Guidance (PDF)
7. Guidance on Urban Design in the Planning Process (PDF)