Making the best Plan for local residents

“We are under intense pressure from the government to build more and more houses over the next 25 years, but we are determined to achieve our vision for South Warwickshire of thriving, sustainable communities that work in the best interests of our residents,” said Councillor Susan Juned, Liberal Democrat Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, last week.

Speaking after both Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils had voted for the South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) to go through to its next stage, Councillor Juned added: “This Plan balances the government’s demand for more houses in rural areas with providing much-needed schools, transport and health facilities and that South Warwickshire desperately needs.

“At the same time, the Plan encourages economic growth with measures to promote local businesses and increase employment in the area. It also protects and enhances our green spaces and landscapes that are just as important for our well-being.”

Cllr Juned stressed that the two councils are under intense pressure from the government not only to double the number of new homes being built every year in South Warwickshire, but also to produce a 25-year plan for them by the end of 2026. This means more than 50,000 new homes across the whole of South Warwickshire before 2050.

“We cannot fight the government, but we must maintain control of our future. Not having an up-to-date Plan puts us at the mercy of private developers who have no interest in making sure that flooding is controlled, drains can cope with more sewage, traffic flows where it should and our children don’t have to be bussed all over the place because existing schools are overloaded,” she said.

“We are putting our residents first in the face of government housing targets. We must make sure that we have a robust and comprehensive Plan for our communities for generations to come.”

Noting the seven-week consultation due to start on Tuesday, Cllr Juned underlined the detailed and intensive evaluation work carried out by the two district councils since the January 2025 public consultation to make sure residents’ voices were heard and the chosen sites best met residents’ needs.

“Between 21st July and 7th September, residents, businesses and other local organisations have another chance to make their views known. They have the opportunity to have a final say before the SWLP is submitted to the government in December for independent examination,” she added.

If you would like to submit your views on the local plan then please click here.