On Monday 15 January, Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet approved in principle the development of a new community and medical facility in Upper Lighthorne, a joint project with the NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Warwickshire Police.
The new settlement at Upper Lighthorne will create an important new community within Stratford-on-Avon District, between Lighthorne Heath and Gaydon.
At the heart of this housing development is to be a new village centre. The village centre will incorporate many facilities, including a primary school, supermarket, café, early learning / nursery, independent living and further housing.
As part of a planning and development requirement, S106 funding from the development will provide:
- A community hub
- A healthcare facility (GP practice)
- Facilities for the use of Warwickshire Police
Cllr Nigel Rock, Deputy Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "For any community to flourish it is important that they have the facilities they need and many of these will be provided within the new Upper Lighthorne Village Centre.
"We are responding to the challenge of creating a community in its widest sense. We hope to produce a facility that will be at the heart of Upper Lighthorne.
"By combining a community hall and associated open spaces, a Police base and doctors surgery in a single built project we will give best value for the tax payer and create an integrated community hub.
"The project also aligns with our new Council Plan vision, to 'put our communities at the heart of everything we do' by involving the views of the local community; working with ICB to 'support health and wellbeing of our residents'; and striving to deliver cohesive communities that are well built, in the right place and served by appropriate infrastructure'."
A detailed report included in The Cabinet papers, on how this concept can be realised and delivered was produced by Tamdem Projects and covers the investigations and research findings carried out on behalf of the District Council.
