South Warwickshire Local Plan update

Warwick District Councillors have agreed a short delay to the start of the Regulation 19 consultation on the South Warwickshire Local Plan to allow for further work to be completed in several key areas. This is in line with the decision made at the joint Cabinet meeting of Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils on Thursday 28 May. This final consultation is focused on specific issues, namely whether the new local plan meets legal requirements, shows effective joint working between councils and has been properly tested in terms of soundness. Once published it will give residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to have a final say before the document it is submitted to Government for independent examination. Council officers will now make refinements and updates to elements of the plan including the removal of low performing development sites, provision of affordable housing and access to active travel and public transport. Both Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils have been working on the development of the new South Warwickshire Local Plan since 2021. There has been extensive public engagement at every stage, with the latest Preferred Options consultation in 2025 generating more than 22,000 responses. Councillor Ian Davison Leader of Warwick District Council commented: “The South Warwickshire Local Plan will guide where new homes, businesses, employment and infrastructure are located across the combined Stratford and Warwick district boundary areas up to 2050, aiming to ensure that development is carefully planned and supported by the necessary infrastructure. It is therefore crucial that we make these refinements in order provide a robust document to the public at this final stage.” If the delay is endorsed by Stratford District Council at their 8 June meeting, a revised timetable for the consultation will be agreed by both councils and shared with the public at the earliest opportunity. The South Warwickshire Local Plan remains on track for submission to the Secretary of State by 31 December 2026.