No plans for a new town - Stratford District Council responds to Birmingham housing demand report

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has moved to clarify its position following a report prepared by independent consultants on behalf of 14 local planning authorities across the West Midlands, including Stratford-on-Avon District. The report incorporates suggested future plans which could include a major new development in the district.  

The report, entitled Greater Birmingham and Black Country Housing Market Area Strategic Growth Study has been carried out by consultants GL Hearn and Wood to assess housing demand and capacity in the housing area.  Its preparation and publication follows the Birmingham Development Plan which identified a shortfall in the planned housing provision for the area of nearly 38,000 dwellings.  Similarly, the Black Country Core Strategy Review identified a capacity shortfall of up to 22,000 dwellings.  

The GL Hearn report has been prepared to inform participating authorities in the area, of which Stratford-on-Avon is one, of the housing demand in the Greater Birmingham area and where there could be capacity to accommodate more dwellings.  

The independent study does not commit any of the partner authorities to providing any developments.  Its purpose is to provide comprehensive background information for each authority in order to help them to shape their own local plans.  

It considers scope for increasing capacity within existing residential areas as well as where growth might be accommodated in areas both where there is no Green Belt Policy as well as in locations where there is.  All 14 authorities comprising the Greater Birmingham HMA, including Stratford, have a duty to work together to see how they can address any accommodation shortfalls.   

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council with responsibility for planning and housing policy, said:  "I would like to reassure the residents of Stratford-on-Avon that the publication of this independent report in no way heralds a major new development in the district.   

"It is an independent study not a council policy report.  It gives us a comprehensive picture of housing demand in the surrounding area and could help us in due course when we shape our local plans.  

"While we acknowledge we have a Duty to Co-operate with other authorities in the surrounding Birmingham area, we have no plans for a new settlement as outlined in the report.  

"The Green Belt land within the district plays no part in our plans in terms of helping to meet current or projected housing need in the district.  Nor is it being considered as an option in any obligation to support Birmingham."  

The full report can be viewed at www.stratford.gov.uk/strategicplanning.