Lib Dem councillors back £300,000 boost for local communities to shape development

Lib Dem councillors at Stratford-on-Avon District Council are backing a new £300,000 fund to give Town and Parish Councils the resources they need to prepare and update Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs).

The funding will help communities have a stronger say over how their areas grow, from where new homes are built to the infrastructure they need, protecting green spaces and ensuring new development is well designed and appropriate for the local area.

There are already 32 adopted Neighbourhood Development Plans across the District, but many will need to be reviewed as planning policies change and the emerging South Warwickshire Local Plan progresses.

Neighbourhood Development Plans are an important way of putting local people at the heart of planning decisions. Once adopted, they form part of the development plan used when planning applications are considered, giving communities a meaningful opportunity to influence the future of their area.

The new funding follows the withdrawal of the former Government-backed Locality grant programme in 2025. With national support no longer available, Stratford-on-Avon District Council is stepping in to ensure local communities are not left without the resources they need.

Under the proposed scheme, eligible Town and Parish Councils will be able to apply for funding based on the costs of preparing a new plan or reviewing an existing one. Applications will be assessed to ensure the money is targeted effectively and delivers value for local taxpayers.