Leamington

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the South Warwickshire Local Plan, prepared jointly by Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils to guide where and how new homes, jobs and infrastructure are built up to 2050. It describes an area of 488 square miles, mostly open countryside, containing towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa. Nearly a third of the area lies in the West Midlands Green Belt and 8% falls within the Cotswolds National Landscape. The area is a gateway to the West Midlands, with its strongest links to Coventry.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes South Warwickshire today. The area covers 488 square miles of mainly open countryside across the two districts, including towns such as Alcester, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. It has good motorway and rail links between London and Birmingham, and 8% of it lies within the Cotswolds National Landscape. Nearly a third sits in the West Midlands Green Belt, which is designed to prevent urban sprawl. The area's strongest ties are with Coventry, as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire sub-region.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the overall Development Strategy, which directs large-scale growth to the most sustainable locations. Seven spatial options were narrowed through consultation to a hybrid strategy based on sustainable travel and the economy, and three priority areas were mapped using proximity to urban land, rail and bus stops, jobs and community needs. Growth broadly follows the A46 corridor and is focused on a small number of strategic sites and new settlements. Because many sustainable locations sit in the Green Belt, the plan carefully releases some Green Belt land.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets the spatial strategy for development to 2050. It prioritises previously developed urban land, concentrates greenfield growth into larger strategic areas so infrastructure can be delivered, favours locations near existing facilities based on 20-minute neighbourhood principles, requires efficient densities and promotes walking, cycling and public transport. It names two new communities, at Hatton and Long Marston Airfield, plus Strategic Growth Locations including Bidford-on-Avon, Bishop's Tachbrook, Henley-in-Arden, Kenilworth, three sites around Leamington Spa and land south of Coventry.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full policy and justification for meeting development needs to 2050. Provision is made for a minimum of 54,925 homes between 2025 and 2050, with a total identified supply of 57,610, a headroom of about 4.9%. It also provides 129 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, 20 Travelling Showpeople plots and 35 boat dweller moorings. Each district will maintain its own five-year housing land supply, based on 1,112 homes a year in Stratford-on-Avon and 1,085 in Warwick, with detailed year-by-year delivery trajectories for every allocated site.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section lists the full set of mixed-use, leisure, community and town centre allocations under Policy DS.6. They include Tachbrook Country Park, 62 hectares safeguarded at the University of Warwick Main Campus, Local Green Spaces at Meon Vale, and town centre sites in Leamington Spa including Chandos Street. In Stratford-upon-Avon, the 2.04 hectare Gateway site is earmarked for a mixed-use scheme including a new World Shakespeare Museum, alongside the Rother Quarter. Other entries cover a new village centre for Studley, and Warwick sites including Myton Community Stadium and St Mary's Lands.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full housing allocation schedule under Policy DS.7, covering dozens of settlements from Alcester to Whitnash with indicative minimum capacities and requirements on flood risk, landscape, heritage and access. It also lists custom and self-build sites, allocations carried forward from adopted local and neighbourhood plans, and a Traveller site at Harbury Lane providing permanent pitches, transit bays and a support hub once Leamington Football Club relocates. The justification explains proposals including the Stratford-upon-Avon Gateway, Studley regeneration, Chandos Street, Warwick's cafe quarter, St Mary's Lands and Myton Community Stadium.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces support for development on land the plan has not specifically allocated, using a settlement hierarchy. Development is supported in principle within the built-up boundaries of the four Main Urban Areas: Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa and Whitnash, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. Small and medium schemes are supported in eight Main Service Centres, including Alcester, Southam and Wellesbourne, while only small-scale proposals are supported in a longer list of Local Service Centres such as Barford and Harbury.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets a settlement hierarchy for proposals on unallocated land. Development is supported in principle within the built-up boundaries of four Main Urban Areas: Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa and Whitnash, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. Small and medium-scale schemes are supported in eight Main Service Centres, including Alcester, Bidford-on-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour and Southam. Small-scale development only is supported in a long list of Local Service Centres, from Alderminster to Tredington.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section gives the full Policy DS.8 and its justification. Beyond the urban areas and service centres, Rural Service Centres, villages within the Green Belt or Cotswolds National Landscape, are limited to infilling only, and in the wider countryside proposals are judged against Policies DS.9 to DS.12. The plan relies on a small amount of windfall development, meaning schemes on sites it has not identified, and this policy provides the flexibility to handle them. Developers are expected to engage with the local community before submitting applications.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets out where the Green Belt boundary will change to make room for the plan's proposals. Six villages, including Bubbenhall, Claverdon and Snitterfield, are taken out of the Green Belt. Land is also removed for new settlements and major growth sites at places such as Hatton, Kenilworth South, Leamington Spa North, South of Coventry and Coventry Airport, plus smaller sites at Alcester, Hampton Magna, Kenilworth, Studley and Stoneleigh. A boundary error at Leek Wootton is also corrected.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the Green Belt changes in full. It allows neighbourhood plans to release small Green Belt sites for local needs where strict conditions are met. National policy applies to proposals both in and out of the Green Belt, and the Golden Rules on affordable housing do not apply to land released under the older 2016 and 2017 local plans. A Green Belt Review found exceptional circumstances justify the changes, because many of the most sustainable growth locations sit within the Green Belt.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section lists the full set of protected transport schemes and explains the approach. Alongside rail, park and ride and strategic road junction schemes, it safeguards major link roads tied to specific development sites, including routes at Stratford-upon-Avon, Wellesbourne, Henley-in-Arden, Kenilworth, Warwick, Stoneleigh and Bidford, and a new consolidated M40 junction to replace Junctions 13 and 14. Development in these areas is only permitted where it would not hinder a scheme's design, delivery or operation, or is temporary or reversible. The aim is to prevent prejudicial development without needlessly sterilising land.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects land needed for future transport schemes from development that could block their delivery. Protected projects include reopening the Stratford to Honeybourne railway, a new station at Long Marston Airfield, and double-tracking the Coventry to Leamington line with a second platform at Kenilworth. It also safeguards land for a multi-modal transport interchange near the University of Warwick, park and ride sites serving Leamington and Stratford-upon-Avon, disused railway lines earmarked as future walking and cycling routes, and improvements to key A46, M40 and M42 junctions.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full sustainable transport policy and guidance. Major developments must provide direct, high-frequency public transport links, segregated walking and cycling routes, and barrier-free access for elderly, disabled and low-income users. Sustainable transport corridors are planned along key routes, including south of Coventry, west of Warwick, and south of Leamington. Cycle and bus infrastructure must follow national design guidance, and high frequency means a bus every 15 minutes or a train every 30 minutes at peak times.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full Park and Ride policy. Alongside the Stratford-upon-Avon sites, including a possible 500-space facility near the Rosebird Centre, it supports a public transport interchange south of Coventry serving the University of Warwick, a potential 500-space facility linked to the Coventry and Warwick Investment Zone, and sites north of Leamington, west of Warwick and south of Leamington. Development near these areas of search must not obstruct future delivery. Locations were identified with Warwickshire County Council and are at different stages of development.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires development to protect, improve and extend green and blue infrastructure, meaning natural assets such as open spaces, trees, rivers and canals. Schemes must secure management and funding for these features for at least 30 years. Proposals should contribute to strategic opportunities identified in the evidence, such as restoring ancient woodlands, a River Avon Linear Park and better access to the canals. Design must respond to local landscape character, connect habitats, use native and climate-resilient planting and help reduce flood risk.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the green and blue infrastructure policy and sets measurable standards. Major developments must provide a green and blue infrastructure strategy. Commercial schemes must achieve an Urban Greening Factor score of at least 0.3 and residential schemes at least 0.4. Tree canopy must cover at least 14% of commercial sites and 20% of residential sites, or improve on existing cover if that is greater. These networks support wildlife, manage flood risk, store carbon and provide accessible space for recreation.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes South Warwickshire's key economic assets beyond its major investment sites. They include the Silicon Spa gaming cluster around Leamington, employing over 2,000 highly skilled people, the automotive industry with Aston Martin, JLR and Lotus, food and drink businesses, and a highly skilled workforce. Tourism assets include Shakespeare's Birthplace, Warwick and Kenilworth castles and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Around 70% of Warwickshire is agricultural land, and the section stresses the need to safeguard existing employment uses.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports the growth and improvement of existing visitor attractions and encourages new ones across South Warwickshire, subject to other plan policies. All tourism and leisure development must be sensitive to the character of the area and designed to maximise benefits for local communities through job opportunities and support for local services. Wherever possible, tourist and visitor facilities should be located in existing or replacement buildings, particularly where they sit outside settlements.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out why the plan supports tourism. Stratford-upon-Avon is home to the world's most important Shakespeare heritage sites and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Other attractions include the castles at Warwick and Kenilworth, Stoneleigh Abbey, country houses such as Compton Verney and Charlecote, the canal network, and the regency buildings and parks of Royal Leamington Spa, along with Stratford Butterfly Farm and the British Motor Museum. The plan seeks growth that keeps these assets attractive, especially those linked to the historic environment.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains how the town centre policy will be applied. In the main urban centres, at least 50% of units in Primary Shopping Areas should remain in retail use. It sets out the hierarchy of centres, with Leamington Spa and Stratford the most significant, Warwick and Kenilworth serving more local needs, and smaller rural towns such as Alcester and Southam acting as Local Centres. Evidence shows a need for 7.1 hectares of office land, about 57,900 square metres, up to 2050, to be met mainly through conversions rather than new site allocations.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects the predominantly residential areas within the town centres of Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick, as defined on the Policies Map. Within these areas, a change of use from residential to non-residential will only be permitted where the proposed use maintains the residential character of the area. It sits alongside the wider town centre policies that encourage people to live in and around town centres.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the protection given to homes in town centres. Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick both have large numbers of houses and apartments within their town centre boundaries, which add diversity and vitality but create pressure where different uses sit side by side. Uses such as small offices, dental surgeries and children's nurseries may be acceptable in these residential areas, provided the residential character and appearance of the building and area are not altered. The council will also consider the cumulative effect of such changes.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the heritage assets policy in full. It extends protection to heritage at risk, historic townscapes in places such as Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick, historic landscapes, and assets contributing to the Cotswolds National Landscape. Applicants affecting a heritage asset or its setting must assess its significance using appropriate expertise. Substantial harm to or total loss of a designated asset will be refused unless substantial public benefits outweigh it, while lesser harm must be justified and weighed against public benefits.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains how conservation areas, locally listed assets and archaeology will be managed. Councils may use Article 4 Directions, which remove certain automatic development rights, to protect high quality townscapes and locally listed buildings. Warwick District Council keeps a list of locally important parks and gardens, such as Abbey Fields in Kenilworth and St Nicholas Park in Warwick, which will be considered in planning decisions. Applicants on strategic sites should check the Warwickshire Historic Environment Record, and field evaluation may be required where archaeological information is lacking.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the reasoning behind the parking policy. National policy says parking standards should reflect how accessible a site is, public transport options, car ownership and the need for electric vehicle charging. Detailed standards sit in separate Technical Guidance, and anyone departing from them must justify it with a parking survey. Lower car parking may be justified in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth town centres, with zones applying in Stratford-upon-Avon. Parking approved through planning does not guarantee on-street parking or resident permits.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes the proposed Hatton New Community, a 262-hectare new settlement delivering at least 4,558 homes, with 4,000 built by 2050 and up to 5,250 possible. It includes two primary schools, a secondary school, a district centre, three neighbourhood centres, 2 hectares of employment land and at least 25 hectares of open space. Development runs in three phases from 2032/33 to 2056/7, with a new spine road bridging the railway and canal, major upgrades to Hatton Station, and a minimum density of 40 homes per hectare.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes proposal BIT.1, land at Park Farm west of Bishop's Tachbrook. The 41-hectare site will deliver at least 655 homes between 2030/31 and 2037/38, plus 2.2 hectares of land for a possible two-form entry primary school, a community hall site and a small local centre. A significant green buffer will protect the setting of the Grade I listed Warwick Castle parkland. A contaminated land assessment is needed for the former quarry and landfill in the northern part of the site.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers proposal BIT.2 at Red House Farm, south-west of Bishop's Tachbrook. The 160-hectare site provides around 121 hectares of strategic employment land, totalling 3,750,000 sq ft of floorspace mainly for logistics and industry. The developer will fund a new M40 junction to replace junctions 13 and 14, plus a dual carriageway link road to Warwick and Leamington. The scheme also includes a Park and Ride, a central mixed-use hub, 39 hectares of green and blue infrastructure, and a travelling showpersons yard of at least 6 plots. Delivery runs from 2027 to 2034/35.