THE SOUTH Warwickshire Local Plan could be delayed amid concerns it fails to “pass muster”.
The revised draft plan to build almost 55,000 new houses across Stratford, Warwick, Leamington, Kenilworth, Southam and the surrounding areas was discussed by Warwick and Stratford District Councils at a meeting last week, ahead of putting it out for public consultation.
The plan has been drawn up by the two councils following government requirements to deliver a significant amount of new development during the period between 2025 and 2050.
Listed sites in the plan for Warwick district include the large 4,000-home development on a 269-hectare ‘King’s Hill’ site between Kenilworth and Coventry, the 4,000 ‘new town’ near Hatton, 1,784 houses on two pockets of land in North Leamington, 1,550 on land to the east of Europa Way, 916 houses to the east of Lillington, 493 to the west of Warwick and 558 to the north west of Bishop’s Tachbrook.
In Stratford district, the sites and number of houses include 3,086 on land to the west of Southam, 1,331 on land north of Wellesbourne, and a new settlement of 4,500 homes at Long Marston Airfield.
The South Warwickshire Local Plan needs to be submitted to government by December 31.
A number of councillors and residents gave impassioned speeches against the local plan in its current form.
Coun Daren Pemberton advised councils forget the December deadline as there was a significant amount of homework that still needed to be done before this plan would “pass muster” with the planning inspector.
Public concerns included the fact the Stratford relief road – a crucial part of making more housing development in the area viable – had not yet been granted planning permission, poor transport connectivity at Long Marston, and the loss of the rural landscape which shapes the identity of the area.
Councillors recommended to delay publishing the draft local plan so further work can be undertaken in several key areas to make it more viable.
This includes removing some of the sites in Warwick district, totalling between 1500 and 2000 homes, adding the expected number of non-local plan sites to the plan and increasing the housing density on these sites wherever possible, to reword the plan to ensure developers contribute fully to the movement of people through active travel, and to make changes to incorporate more affordable housing and to meet Biodiversity Net Gain targets.
Both councils will now consider this recommendation at their next respective meetings. WDC’s meeting will take place today (Monday) and SDC is set to meet on Monday (June 8).
