No

ID sylw: 106036

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Janice Holmes

I am horrified with the proposals contained in this document for Bearley & Wilmcote for four very good reasons.
1. Use of current farming land for housing which clearly contravenes the nationally published guidelines for greenbelt land.
2. Highway overcrowding particularly on the already busy A3400 as potentially 10,000 + more cars starting using our roads. There will be one big traffic jam from Bearley to the already overcrowded A46 roundabout. This will not only affect Bearley and Wilmcote but all the traffic coming from Wooten Wawen and Henley.
3. The Heart of England Forest development will be badly affected by 500 + houses being built on green belt land in its midst.
4. The quality of life that will be badly affected for the thousands of people currently residing in Bearley and Wilmcote who bought their houses because they wanted to live in the country and not a medium sized town.

Yes

ID sylw: 106143

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Julian and Emma Philcox

Nifer y bobl: 2

Excellent location for a new settlement. It is well connected for non-car travel. If car use is required it is well-located for the strategic road network. there are two active rail stations providing direct travel to Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford upon Avon, Birmingham, and to London Marylebone with just one change. The location is north of the River Avon and its two bottleneck bridges. The M42, M40 and A46 are readily accessible from that location to north and south. The Park and Ride and Stratford Parkway Rail Station are also close by.

All 3 of Stratford’s Secondary Schools are north of the river making them accessible from Bearley and Wilmcote. All 3 of Alcester’s secondary schools are readily accessible to west and north respectively, again without having to enter or cross Stratford/the river, and mainly using the strategic road network. Stratford schools are accessible via rail.

No

ID sylw: 106151

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Ben and Fiona Harris

Nifer y bobl: 2

We object to the building of 6700 or more houses between Bearley and Wilmcote. The infrastructure is insufficient to cope with the existing population. The roads are gridlocked leading to Stratford-upon-Avon (not just at peak times!), and the local train stations are too small and have insufficient car parking to cope with such expansion. The area has terrible flooding, which will be worsened by the extra concrete, hard standing and surface run-off.

The area between the two villages is prime agricultural land that should be retained for crop production to feed the nation. It is green belt and should be preserved. There are other sites that are far more suitable, even if they contain a smaller amounts of houses.

No

ID sylw: 106397

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mrs Pamela Hughes

I'm not against some affordable homes but 6,800! Far too many. It will need:

Road, rail and all transport, infrastructure improvement must be done first. All extremely costly. Damage to the environment.

Building on green belt, instead of brown sites. We also have enough problems with flooding in the surrounding area.

The increased traffic and urban sprawl will totally spoil the general environment of the villages surrounding this development. The very thing Stratford depends on for tourism. I am totally against such a large environment.

No

ID sylw: 106426

Derbyniwyd: 21/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Patrick Blakeley

I do not want this housing development for the following reasons:
-Traffic, pollution, congestion
-Keep the green belt
-Flood risk increases
Mary Arden's house at risk
-Urbanisation, light pollution
-Lack of infrastructure-doctors, hospitals, dentists
-Water supply and disruption
-Overwhelm to our small villages
-No suitable area for a cycle path since the A 3400 is already overloaded, especially at peak times
-canal path would have to be widened to make safe for pedestrians and cyclists. Not practical since there are lock cottages and lock gates already in close proximity.
-Green belt will be gone, all villages and towns will become one massive urban sprawl.
-Trainline not reliable, no parking at Bearley or Wilmcote station. No disabled access in both directions-huge disruption
-Historic area-not made special now

No

ID sylw: 106465

Derbyniwyd: 05/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mrs Chris Chance

* Lanes around the local villages far too narrow to accommodate further traffic
* Extra traffic using the Ridgeway through Wilmcote endangering school children through Aston Cantlow
* More flooding on Aston Cantlow Road & Salters Lane cutting off Aston Cantlow
* Dangerous road junctions to A3400 from Featherbed Lane & Salters Lane, from Snitterfield & Bearley. Also Gospel Oak Lane - A3400 to A46.
* A3400 not suitable to accommodate extra traffic as already many hold-ups to Stratford, Wootton Wawen, Henley-in-Arden, Hockley Heath, Shirley eyc.
* Inadequate rail & bus links - inadequate parking
* Light pollution, air pollution. Huge damage to land. Trees, flora & fauna.

No

ID sylw: 106475

Derbyniwyd: 26/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Mrs F.P. Currie

The proposal to build new houses is very important for local development. However the suggestion of 6,700 new houses will ruin the present, settled, happy, viable village atmosphere and its tranquillity of Wilmcote and its surroundings.

So I would support under 2,000 new houses and no more to protect this area.

No

ID sylw: 106481

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Elaine and Graeme Davidson

Nifer y bobl: 2

We object to the proposed new town involving Bearley for the following reasons:

1) Loss of productive agricultural land.
2) The "green belt" must be maintained.
3) Bearley has met its housing requirements and is vibrant community with a mix of demographics.
4) Visitors enjoy free recreation, clean air, footpaths, use of the canal and viewing the largest aqueduct in England.
5) Land is subject to flooding and landslip from the nearby under used-station.
6) Bearley village hall is a stopping point on the national cyclists route.
7) There are rare species of birds, butterflies and mammals.
8) The new Heart of England Forest is included in the plan area.
9) Recently metal detectors have unearthed Roman coins, suggesting archaeological sites.
10) Light pollution is also an issue.

We should like to know how much this consultation has cost so far and the likely eventual total.

No

ID sylw: 106483

Derbyniwyd: 27/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Margaret Dawson

This is a countryside village and we do not want urbanisation. Wilmcote train station is unsuitable for this scale of building. No parking, no disabled access to the other direction and has a listed pedestrian bridge. Mary Arden's House is the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother and excessive traffic, flooding and vibration would put this important heritage site at risk. Those on Shakespearean vacations do not want to see a housing estate. Infrastructure around the village is inadequate. Village culverts, streams and rivers already overflow. Loss of green belt land will destroy habitats of deer, badgers, beavers and bats forever. I question the local employment opportunities as Stratford-upon-Avon is mainly based around tourism and has few big companies other than NFU Mutual and Jaguar Landrover. Many will need to commute to work which makes this environmentally unsustainable.

No

ID sylw: 106487

Derbyniwyd: 28/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Mr and Mrs B Gibbons

Nifer y bobl: 2

BW No

I disagree of the whole plan

No

ID sylw: 106532

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Stanley Wells

I should like to register my support for the objections to the proposed building of 6,700 houses near Wilmcote and Bearley. This would be taking away important countryside and rural amenities from the current population. It would change the whole, rural nature of the environs of Shakespeare’s town. There would be increased pollution and an unsustainable pressure on existing infrastructure.

No

ID sylw: 106547

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Les Shortman

I wish to register my objection in the strongest terms to the proposed development at Bearley & Wilmcote.

Not only is this an area of special historical significance and importance, particularly around Mary Arden’s house and farm, but additionally our landscape and wildlife would be placed at risk.
Nature should not be sacrificed for profit!

The South Warwickshire Local Plan will destroy our peaceful landscapes, wildlife habitats, and mental well-being.
- Hedgerows will be removed for wider paths and roads
- Wildlife habitats will be lost forever
- Green spaces will disappear, reducing mental well-being for residents

No

ID sylw: 106555

Derbyniwyd: 27/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Doreen Hubbard

I object to my village being transformed into a town with more lights, traffic and people. The country lanes could not handle 18,000 extra cars and will be more congested and dangerous. Doctors, dentists and emergency services are insufficient to support a new town. Developers in Stratford-upon-Avon have built lots of dreadful red brick houses. It is important to protect the historic building and 'countryside feel' of the Mary Arden's House heritage site. Wilmcote and Bearley stations lack parking and disabled access. Creating a new large railway station will be very expensive. A cycle path would either have to use the fast, busy A3400 where there have been numerous fatalities or the canal path where the road would need to be widened considerably and lit all the way to Bearley. Lock cottages and locks would make this expensive and difficult and it would disturb wildlife including beavers.

No

ID sylw: 106560

Derbyniwyd: 26/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Kym Kennedy

Even with improvements, local road networks couldn't cope with this amount of new houses. They are used as shortcuts and 'rat runs', with impacts on many local settlements. Roads already have queues at each end - Junction 15 of the M40 and the Bishopton Island. Upgrades to the railway station and canal path would need 3rd party approval and purchase of land from private individuals who oppose the plan. The train station is rural and would need substantial upgrades to provide disabled access, toilets, parking etc. Stratford station is also a dead end. We must protect the greenbelt and consider other locations, especially brownfield. We must protect the rural setting of Mary Arden's House, an important heritage asset.

Gaydon or Hatton are preferable sites.

No

ID sylw: 106564

Derbyniwyd: 24/02/2025

Ymatebydd: S.A. Parmee

No further comment supplied

No

ID sylw: 106579

Derbyniwyd: 01/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mrs S. Rose

We are mainly agricultural land, and some greenbelt.

This is good for our area

The roads are poorly maintained, and extra traffic from the proposed new development will have a gridlock effect on Stratford-upon-Avon and Wilmcote.

No parking at Wilmcote station.

We do not need more housing. The houses already built at the top of Bishopton are for rent. So why do we need more hosuing?

No

ID sylw: 106580

Derbyniwyd: 28/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Mr W.F. Rose

BW - No

No roads

Rail only one way.

No parking at Wilmcote or Bearley stations.

Yes

ID sylw: 106612

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Margaret Toozer

This area is south of the town and has easy access to junction 15 of the M40. It would not cause as much congestion in a town which is almost gridlocked with traffic. There has not been as much new building in this area.

No

ID sylw: 106623

Derbyniwyd: 05/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Eileen Vaughan

This proposal would destroy green belt and farming land and would be a huge loss to the surrounding area as it would destroy habitat for wildlife, walking routes, country pursuits such as horseriding, and cause more pollution and damage to the environment. Increased traffic and heavy vehicles would damage a Grade 1 Shakespearean historic building. It would also exacerbate existing floor risk. 6,700 new homes would overload the surrounding infrastructure. GP surgeries, hospitals, dental surgeries, schools, colleges and social services would be under extreme pressure. Sewerage and water supply systems and other utilities could not cope. Traffic and pollution is already at high levels in Stratford. The development would create a continuous strip of housing along the A3400, destroying green spaces that stop towns and areas merging into one.

No

ID sylw: 106624

Derbyniwyd: 05/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mr Philip Vaughan

Local services such as doctors and hospitals could not cope with 6,700 new homes. Roads would be gridlocked given that families these days often have 2 cars. Traffic commuting to Stratford and Henley means that Wilmcote is already congested. The A46 and A3400 could not cope. There would be a huge need to upgrade utility services. Increased traffic and heavy commercial vehicles would destroy historic buildings through pollution and vibration. There would be an unacceptable loss of Green Belt and farming land, destruction of wildlife habitats, and loss of country pursuits such as horse riding, walking routes, and attractiveness of historic views and properties.

No

ID sylw: 106626

Derbyniwyd: 04/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Rowan John James Ward

I feel that there should not be new development in Wilmcote as it would destroy this lovely area. More road would affect wildlife and cause more flooding to the area. The A3400 into Stratford is already very slow because of traffic. Tourists coming into Stratford back up the town to Pathlow. There would be more traffic and pollution through our village. Bus services such as the X20 would be diverted through Wilmcote as well as large commercial vehicles. The train station is too small and has poor service. Developers should provide schools, sewerage etc. before new houses. The sewerage system needs to be upgraded. Roads are just too small and narrow.

No

ID sylw: 106789

Derbyniwyd: 05/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Angela Mckeown

1. Traffic - at least 10,000 more cars causing pollution. Village roads already unable to cope with the current traffic.
2. Pollution from extra cars as well as carbon footprints from all the extra houses.
3. Flooding - Wilmcote and Snitterfield already prone to severe flooding and regularly inaccessible due to the flooding.
4. Lose of more green belt. Green belt is needed by our farmers and our wildlife. This area has some beautiful wildlife areas Snitterfield and Bearley bushes which would be greatly affected by the increase in traffic.
5. Threat to our Heritage. Wilmcote has a direct connection to Shakespeare as does Snitterfield!
Overview- This planning proposal is totally unrealistic for the area ! The infrastructure would be unable to cope with this amount of extra people etc. Local doctors (already over subscribed) Warwick hospital already at peak capacity, roads are already regularly gridlocked including Birmingham road and Warwick road for north of Stratford.

Finally. This plan would be devastating to our beautiful local area. The congestion of traffic would reck our local wildlife of nesting birds, including a recent arrival of red kites plus several lakes that attracts herons, geese and other water birds. We also have deer ( roe deer, muntjac and fallow) badgers, toads hedgehogs and many more !
Neither Wilmcote or Bearley stations can accommodate extra commuters with no access parking. Leading to commuters travelling to Warwick Parkway via Snitterfield (as a rat run) or Leamington station again via Snitterfield. Travelling via Snitterfield to the A46 is quicker than rush hour on Birmingham Road.

Other

ID sylw: 106824

Derbyniwyd: 26/02/2025

Ymatebydd: David Close

The case for a large settlement is at Bearley because of the proximity of the railway station. ( similarly at Hatton with Warwick Parkway ).

Also, Long Marston is already becoming a significant settlement. Could it be designated as a potential New Town to unlock government investment for necessary infrastructure thus creating jobs in addition to building houses? Should the district council submit this as a proposal to the task force advising the government? 'Infrastructure' could include the reopening of the Honeybourne railway line.

Other

ID sylw: 106942

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Historic England

Site appears to wrap around/may contain some of Bearley Conservation Area with many LBs.

No SMs in site and no comments re: archaeology.

Recommend: HIA prior to allocation.

No

ID sylw: 107030

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Tony Tustin

I object to this proposal on the grounds that it is an inappropriate development within the rural green belt, would result in serious loss of green space and would permanently damage the environs.

I object to this proposal on the grounds that the existing road and rail infrastructure is inadequate and major transport infrastructure improvements locally and in and around local settlements would be necessary.

I object to this proposal on the grounds that it would permanently destroy agricultural land currently available for food production.

I object to this proposal on the grounds that a need for a development of this nature in this rural location has not been properly demonstrated and proper consideration given to alternatives should they be required.

Yes

ID sylw: 107102

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Carol Regan

Ref - BW
Bearley and Wilmcote - support. A more suitable site than C1

No

ID sylw: 107227

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Wilmcote Action Group

This plan is a ‘desktop exercise’ which improperly accounts for impacts Proposal BW will have on Wilmcote and the wider area.

Infrastructure

The overall rating for Transport infrastructure should be Red.
The SWLP Strategic Transport and Education Assessment (STA) indicates the cost of upgrading the A46 and associated roundabouts would be uneconomic and impractical. There would be additional costs for upgrading the A4300. The STA admits increased congestion will result in further use of village roads as ‘rat-runs’. It will cause problems at the Henley junction and from Bishopton roundabout to the Maybird shopping centre and into the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, causing roads to be gridlocked. Increased traffic volumes will make roads unsafe for vulnerable road users, especially children travelling to school at peak times, as the BW settlement is split by the A3400. The Highway (local) rating should be red.
The Rail rating should be Red/Amber. Group D stations would be unable to accommodate an influx of new passengers without substantial investment in services and facilities. Upgrading Wilmcote Station would be costly and take many years. This would fail the objectives of sustainable growth and timely infrastructure development. The map wrongly shows a rail line from Bearley to Earlswood. Bearley Station is a Rural Halt, a request stop with no facilities.
The Cycle Way rating should be Red. Resurfacing, widening, hedgerow-removal, ditch diversion and lighting would be required to the canal towpath. Lighting the path would disrupt nocturnal wildlife. Cyclists, runners and dog walkers co-using the canal path would raise safety risks. The towpath is owned by a third party. It isn’t guaranteed they would agree to the upgrade. National Cycle Route 5 southward is along the towpath and northward is on roads with no cycle ways. The rating for active travel should be Red as there is no active travel route. The STA suggests developer funding could “kickstart” improved bus services. If they do not become profitable (likely), the required bus service will cease. The car will be the main mode of transport. None of this complies with Net Zero policies.

Flood Risk

The rating for Flood risk should be Red/Amber.
The development poses significant risks due to increased surface water runoff, inadequate natural water absorption due to the geological setting, and an overburdened drainage system.
The development faces significant risks of type 2 and 3 flooding. Current managed farmland mitigates minor flooding but transformation into tarmacked surfaces will increase run-off. This will worsen regular type 3 flooding along the A3400 adjacent to Edstone Brook as it makes its way toward the river Alne. Flooding on Salters Lane beneath the railway bridge will intensify, disrupting commuter routes between Aston Cantlow, the A3400, and further afield to Birmingham, Coventry, Leamington, and Warwick. The increased water flow could also isolate Aston Cantlow at Alne Bridge near Little Alne and on the village's southern side, as overflowing ditches cut off access, with floodwaters continuing downstream toward Alcester.
Development may trigger similar flooding issues at Bishopton. As surface water flows down the steeper incline of Bishopton Hill, it will overwhelm Bishopton Top. Manor Drive, Wilmcote has experienced Class 4 flooding on two occasions in 25 years. This would worsen under the new development. Comprehensive mitigation measures, such as widening and excavation would be required prior to development.

Green Belt

The site is Green Belt. Seven proposed new settlement sites are outside of Green Belt, six of which have better transport infrastructure. The identified need can be met without using Green Belt. There are no ‘exceptional circumstances’ justifying release as per the NPPF. Commercial/industrial needs can be met on land already granted close to Wildmoor roundabout.
The proposed development would create ‘ribbon’ development encompassing Wilmcote, Bearley, and Pathlow, sandwiched between Henley-in-Arden to the north and Stratford-upon-Avon to the south. The essence of rural settlements lies in separation. Open, undeveloped land at peripheries forms an integral part of their character. The development would merge two villages, transforming their character and destroying their heritage.

Heritage

We agree with the Lepus report that Heritage should be rated Red.
Mary Arden’s House is Grade 1 Listed. Its historical setting would be damaged by a new settlement approximately 500m from its curtilage. Additional traffic will cause vibration and air pollution which will destroy the building’s fabric. The building and its setting are part of the wider ‘Shakespeare story’, crucial to tourism revenue and the economic health of the Stratford-upon-Avon area. The house is planned to reopen in summer 2025. In 2014, tourism revenue from the house was estimated at 80k.

Habitat and Biodiversity

The rating for habitat and biodiversity should be Amber/Red.
The HELAA rates BW as green for SSSIs and local wildlife sites. However, the Lepus sustainability report rates this as the worst new settlement for biodiversity protection, as it would increase recreational and traffic disturbances and have other impacts such as air and water pollution. There would be harm to the Snitterfield and Bearley Bushes SSSI adjacent to the proposed development, which hosts horseshoe bat roosts. Wilmcote hosts protected species as listed in Stratford upon Avon District Council's own Ecological and Geological Study of Local Services Villages. There are otters in the Wilmcote canal, as well as red kites and lap wings on the margins of fields earmarked for commercial/industrial development. Encroachment would damage the habitat. SDC’s study also indicates Wilmcote is a site of geological importance.

Unreliable housing figures

We believe the estimated requirements are unreliable. The CPRE argue that Birmingham’s housing requirement is three times the city’s demographic need. The Plan should be to 2040 rather than 2050 as it is impossible to understand needs and land availability to 2050.

No

ID sylw: 107302

Derbyniwyd: 26/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Mr Mark Gleaves

The proposed new settlement is unviable. It is unused Green Belt. The HELAA is a broad-brush, desk-based exercise. Site visits will confirm several of the 9 component sites are unsuitable for any development or have much-reduced capacity. This is primarily due to flood risk and access. A more realistic total is 5,042 dwellings. This is below the threshold for a new settlement so this site should be removed from the SWLP.

Other

ID sylw: 107316

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Stratford-on-Avon District Social Inclusion Partnership

New but well connected - BW/A1/A2 – Good train links, will require community builder capacity for enhanced development of community.

No

ID sylw: 107447

Derbyniwyd: 16/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Moreton Morrell Parish Council

capacity 6480 homes: Whilst the proposed new settlement being just north of Stratford-upon-Avon has excellent rail and road connections to Birmingham, Stratford and Leamington with easy access to the M40, the village of Bearley suffers from major flood issues and there would be a significant impact on the heritage values of Mary Arden's house in Wilmcote. The fact that this new settlement would straddle across both sides of the busy A3400 is also a concern.