DUDLEY people are set to have a say on the development of the town centre for the next decade.

Councillors have approved public consultation on an area action plan which will frame planning policy and identify areas for building, transport options and street furniture requirements until 2026.

Members of Dudley’s cabinet agreed a six-week consultation based on a document approved in March 2014. The new consultation period will start on Friday January 16.

Dudley’s Conservative group leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, told the meeting: “Dudley town centre is a tired town centre compared to what we see in Halesowen, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge. This plan is much needed.”

He added the town centre had surplus shopping capacity and the retail area should be condensed to create more residential space.

The council’s cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Judy Foster, says there is plenty of evidence Dudley town centre is waking up and it was busy with a number of regeneration projects.

In his report to the cabinet, Dudley’s director of urban environment, John Miller, said: “Any representations following the consultation period will be incorporated, if appropriate, into the next stage of the plan process.

“It is anticipated that the final draft of the document will be published in autumn 2015 for consultation prior to submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.”