PLANS to merge Stratford and Warwick district councils took another major step forward last week after top councillors gave the go ahead for a ‘scoping document’ on a South Warwickshire Local Plan to go out for public consultation.
Once complete, this new Local Plan would replace the strategic policies of the Stratford-on-Avon Core Strategy and Warwick District Council Local Plan.
It will set out the planning policies the councils will use to assess applications for development, as well as identifying sites to meet future development needs for housing, jobs, infrastructure and open space.
The Plan will also address the important issues of climate change, wellbeing, connectivity and biodiversity.
This initial consultation will seek views on the main issues facing South Warwickshire, and includes a range of objectives and options to inform where new development should be located and how growth should be accommodated up to 2050.
Both councils say they are keen to hear the views of local residents and other stakeholders on this initial consultation to help shape the content of the new Local Plan.
As well as consulting on the scoping document, the two councils are also running a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise inviting site suggestions for development and land use.
The consultation will run from May 10 to June 21, 2021, and detailed information about the consultation and call for sites exercise will be available to view online from May 10 when people will be able to find out how to have your say and submit sites for consideration.
Tony Perks, deputy chief executive at Stratford District Council said: “This consultation is the first step on a journey that will result in a development plan which will help determine the future shape of South Warwickshire.
“I encourage everyone to engage positively and share their views through this consultation process.”
Philip Clarke, head of development services at Warwick District Council said: “This consultation is very much the first stage as we plan the future of South Warwickshire and we would encourage everybody to become involved in helping us to do this and to have their say.”
