Issue and Options 2023

There has been significant expansion outwards of some smaller settlements under the 2000 and 2006 Stratford District Local Plans and the 2016 Stratford District Core Strategy. These have been in some cases harmful to that settlement, adding development out of keeping with its traditional form, and without adequate services in some cases. The expansion westwards of Shipston-on-Stour onto higher ground has been the most damaging. Additions to Kineton, a large village whose Conservation Area has the character of a small town, should not go any further to avoid damage to its historic character and attractive ambience. Wellesbourne and Southam have seen substantial new housing, despite being vin locations with low sustainability (no rail service in either case) and they can't expand further without loss of countryside around them. There is some scope for more dense development within these settlements, which would be best achieved by windfalls, not by seeking to allocate any sites witthin them. Settlements which are surrounded by Green Belt (they are 'Insets' in the Green Belt) should be able to develop more housing within their boundaries by windfalls, but not to expand outwards by changing the Green Belt boundary around them. Studley, Henley-in-Arden, Hampton Magna and Hatton Park are the main examples.

There is no clear question about the Core opportunity Area under Issue E8. (Shown in Fig 21). This is not a suitable concept and should not be included. The individual industries, further education and research establishments are significant but they do not have much, if any interrelationship, except for the JLR sites. The Fig 21`concept drawing would wrongly imply that there is one. Between the various sites and establishments listed is generally open countryside, some of it best and most versatile agricultural land. The concept plan would risk giving support to industrial development in the countryside if it lies in the zone shown. It should be deleted as not necessary and potentially having adverse consequences.