Planning inquiry for Shipston housing scheme

A public inquiry starts next week, Tuesday 18 July, into proposals to build a number of buildings including offices and flats at Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire.  

Mrs B M Byrne has appealed against Stratford-on-Avon District Council's rejection of the planning application to develop the site with the following proposals on land of rear of The Bakery, off Telegraph Street, Shipston-on-Stour:  

• Demolition of existing buildings       
• Demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 2 & 3 storey buildings comprising offices at ground level with 7 one-bedroom flats and 1 two-bedrooms flats and 1 bedsit and construction of an external staircase
• Demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 2 two-story buildings comprising of offices and 3 one-bed and 3 two bed flats and construction of an external staircase.  

The District Council has refused the applications on grounds that the scale of the proposals would harm the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, that the proposals would exacerbate parking and congestion problems in the area and that the demolition without a replacement building scheme would leave a vacant and harmful site in the Conservation Area.  

The inquiry, expected to last for 2 days, will be held at the District Council Offices at Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, starting at 10am.  A Government Planning Inspector will preside over the inquiry.  

Members of the public may attend the inquiry and express their views - at the discretion of the inspector.