Sandwell includes West Bromwich, Smethwick, and Oldbury. About 9.6% of the borough is Green Belt, framing urban edges and suburban villages. Known for industrial heritage, historic market towns, and urban communities, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects.
In the last year Sandwell decided 935 applications which is slightly below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 88% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 67% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Sandwell performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
9.6% of Sandwell is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to reasonable levels of scrutiny.
The Sandwell Green Belt protects villages and green spaces near West Bromwich, Wednesbury, and Oldbury, preserving pockets of historic farmland, woodland, and parkland, which are particularly sensitive to development pressure and help maintain separation between the West Midlands urban areas.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
We specialise in resolving complex planning challenges through thoughtful architectural design, turning constrained or difficult sites into successful Planning Permission outcomes. Let’s discuss your project.
Sandwell includes West Bromwich, Smethwick, and Oldbury. About 9.6% of the borough is Green Belt, framing urban edges and suburban villages. Known for industrial heritage, historic market towns, and urban communities, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects.
In the last year Sandwell decided 935 applications which is slightly below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 88% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 67% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Sandwell performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
9.6% of Sandwell is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to reasonable levels of scrutiny.
The Sandwell Green Belt protects villages and green spaces near West Bromwich, Wednesbury, and Oldbury, preserving pockets of historic farmland, woodland, and parkland, which are particularly sensitive to development pressure and help maintain separation between the West Midlands urban areas.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
We specialise in resolving complex planning challenges through thoughtful architectural design, turning constrained or difficult sites into successful Planning Permission outcomes. Let’s discuss your project.
