STRATFORD and Warwick local plans are set to be replaced by a single document for South Warwickshire.
The South Warwickshire local plan has been approved for consultation as first stage of its preparation.
It will look at the main issues facing the area and includes objectives and options to decide where new development should be and shape the future of the South Warwickshire until 2050.
The consultation – which will run from May 10 to June 21 – will ask questions about the issues and growth for the future and both councils are calling on residents and stakeholders to share their views.
They are also running a ‘call for sites’ exercise asking for site suggestions for development and land use.
The decision to work together to produce a single South Warwickshire local plan was approved by Stratford and Warwick District Councils in October 2020.
Once complete it will replace the policies of the Stratford core strategy and Warwick District Council local plan.
Both councils say it is important for the area as 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, including those in relation to housing, jobs, infrastructure and open space.
The plan will also address issues of climate change, wellbeing, connectivity and biodiversity.
Stratford District Council chief executive Tony Perks 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.
“Local plans need to balance conflicting demands and to ensure that we produce the best possible plan it is vital that we hear the views of those who will be affected by it. I encourage you to engage positively and share your views through this consultation process.”
Warwick District Council head of development Philip Clarke said: “This new local plan will be the first to be prepared jointly by our two councils.
“Both Stratford and Warwick districts share many similar characteristics and face similar challenges. The South Warwickshire local plan provides an opportunity to consider these together and to focus on the issues which are important to our residents, such as the climate change and housing.
“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.”
Detailed information about the consultation and call for sites exercise will be available to view online from May 10 onwards.
Visit www.stratford.gov.uk/swlp or www.warwickdc.gov.uk/swlp for more information.
