Issue and Options 2023

Nothing chosen

We welcome the acknowledgement that Stratford-on-Avon falls within the Greater Birmingham and Black Country Market Area (GBBCHMA) and the recognition that homes built within the district can contribute to the GBBCHMAs unmet housing needs. We welcome the approach taken to address the housing shortfall and we will continue engage in joint working through the GBBCHMA with South Warwickshire to address the GBBCHMA housing shortfall up to 2050. We welcome the approach of identifying reserve sites within Stratford-on-Avon and recommend that the Local Plan should continue to test a number of scenarios which could help to meet the GBBCHMA shortfall. It is noted that the consultation refers to the recent Birmingham Local Plan Issues and Options consultation (2022) which identifies a significant potential shortfall of 78,415 homes. It should also be noted that the recent work on the Black Country Plan (Regulation 18, Draft Plan in Summer 2021) although now ceased, identified a significant housing shortfall of 28,239 homes for the period 2020-2039. The scale of that potential shortfall should therefore also be recognised. Whilst the approach taken to date in respect of reserve sites identified in Stratford-on-Avon for unmet housing needs up to 2031 is supported, we consider that the approach taken in the SWLP going forward (up to 2050) should reflect the potentially significant scale of the GBBCHMA shortfall (noting that this is subject to further evidence base work as part of the Local Plan process for the GBBCHMA partner authorities.) We note that the SWLP refers to the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal testing options of an additional 5,000 and 10,000 homes for unmet housing needs.

It is noted that the ‘refined’ spatial options for growth include those focused on sustainable transport corridors (rail and bus) and areas for economic growth. We consider the most sustainable locations are those that provide sustainable commuting links. Within the spatial options there is the potential for the delivery of new settlements. We consider that new settlements would also be appropriate, as they would generate a significant scale of housing with associated employment uses, justifying significant infrastructure and transport improvements including new and improved commuting links. Therefore, development in and around those locations that are or could be major sources of employment in South Warwickshire would also be appropriate as they could provide a balance of homes and jobs and reduce the need to travel.