Core Strategy main modifications consultation

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Core Strategy is due to go through one final round of consultation before it can finally be adopted.

The Core Strategy has been under examination by an independent inspector since September 2014.  Following this process the inspector is provisionally minded to find the Core Strategy sound subject to it incorporating a number of main modifications.  The Council agrees that the changes are necessary to make the plan capable of adoption.  They will be open to public comment over the next six weeks. 

All comments received will be forwarded to the inspector, who will take them into account as he completes his final report. 

The proposed modifications are wide ranging and include:

• Increasing the district housing requirement to 730 new homes per annum.
• Retaining (with certain revisions) the proposals for a new settlement at Gaydon Lighthorne Heath and other housing allocations in the main towns.
• Confirming the additional housing allocations proposed by the Council, including those at Long Marston Airfield; Bishopton Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon; and Daventry Road, Southam.
• Committing the Council to identifying through its Site Allocations Plan a broad range of reserve housing sites that could be brought forward for development should the need arise.
• Deleting the proposed employment land site off the Birmingham Road (north of the Bishopton Roundabout) in favour of including a new allocation of 10ha of employment land at Atherstone Airfield to accommodate firms wishing to relocate from the Canal Quarter Regeneration Zone.
• Emphasising the need to find appropriate new uses for previously developed brownfield land and at the same time protecting the Green Belt from unsuitable development.
• Confirming the intention to retain and support the enhancement of the established flying functions and aviation related facilities at Wellesbourne Airfield.

The consultation will run from Thursday 31 March to Thursday 12 May 2016. 

The inspector has emphasised that he has taken into account all the comments submitted as a result of earlier consultations and that there is no point in repeating them.  He is looking for specific comments on the newly worded policies that result from the proposed modifications.

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: “I am delighted that the Inspector seems ready to declare our plan sound.  We look forward to the adoption of the Core Strategy this summer.  It will enable us to manage development in a more objective manner."

Do it online Use our interactive document which allows you to click and comment online or go straight to the online representation form

Do it by email By downloading a form and emailing it to planning.policy@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Do it by post Alternatively, forms can be posted to: FREEPOST RSLH – ZYKJ – TYAZ, Stratford on Avon DC, PO BOX 5341, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 1LE

Do it in person Print out a comment form and hand it in at the District Council offices Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX

Copies of the form can be provided on request.

Further information on where you can see the documents and guidance notes on how to make representations can be found at www.stratford.gov.uk/corestrategy or by calling Planning Policy on 01789 260334.