Site Allocations Plan for Stratford-on-Avon District published

Stratford-on-Avon District Council have reached an important stage in the preparation of their Site Allocations Plan which has a plan horizon of 2031. This has now been published for a second Preferred Options Consultation running from Thursday until 5.00pm on Friday 29th July 2022. Comments on any aspect of the Plan are invited. This follows on from the first Preferred Options Consultation held in October and November 2020.

The Site Allocations Plan (SAP) is a Local Plan document that will sit alongside the existing Core Strategy to guide where and how potential development proposals will be built. The Site Allocations Plan includes policies and proposals for:

• Identification and release of Reserve Housing Sites

• Self-build and Custom Housebuilding, including proposed sites

• Built-up Area Boundaries for settlements

• Safeguarding land for A46 junction improvements

• Specific site proposals in Stratford-upon-Avon, Studley and across the rural area

This consultation represents an opportunity for anyone with land interests either to become involved in the future planning of the area or for earlier existing representations to be reinforced.

Key stages in the plan preparation process going forward are envisaged as follows:

• Preferred Options 2 - THE CURRENT CONSULTATION

• Publication: November 2023-January 2024

• Main Modifications (if required): April 2025

Submission of the plan is expected in July 2024 with Public Examination hearings likely to be held in November 2024 followed by adoption of the plan around May-July 2025, giving the plan a 6-year lifespan.

What is less clear, however, is the relationship of the Site Allocations Plan with the South Warwickshire Local Plan. A Call for Sites covering both Stratford and Warwick Districts was carried out in May to June 2021 for a new single local plan for both local authority areas which will cover the period up to 2050. We have sought clarification from Stratford-on-Avon District Council on this point. This is important given that the South Warwickshire Local Plan which will carry forward local planning in the area by a further 19 years, to 2050, and is expected to be adopted in late 2025 thus replacing the existing Core Strategy for Stratford-on-Avon District.

In the meantime, we would encourage anyone wishing to look at the potential of their land holdings to get in touch with us as soon as possible to explore what options might be available.