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.
Royal Leamington Spa
20 sections of the plan, in document order.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out proposal BIT.3, 122 hectares north-west of Bishop's Tachbrook delivering at least 1,720 homes on about 46 hectares between 2028/29 and 2040/41. Around 74 hectares becomes public open space, including a 40-hectare extension to Tachbrook Country Park to keep a permanent green gap south of Leamington. The scheme includes a community hub with possible shops and a GP surgery, land for a two-form entry primary school, and funding towards secondary education. Green buffers must keep Bishop's Tachbrook visually separate from Leamington and Warwick.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out proposal KEN.1, land south of Kenilworth delivering at least 776 homes on 60 hectares between 2029/30 and 2036/37, at a density of at least 35 homes per hectare. A significant green edge will maintain separation between Kenilworth and Leek Wootton. A spine road linking Rouncil Lane and Warwick Road must come early in the development. A buffer to the north-west protects sightlines from Kenilworth Castle, and the site sits in a mineral safeguarding area for sand and gravel.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers proposal LEA.1 at Blackdown, north of Leamington Spa. Some 72 hectares will be released from the Green Belt for at least 1,043 homes on about 37 hectares, plus roughly 35 hectares of public open space, delivered between 2031/32 and 2041/42. The scheme includes a two-form entry primary school, a community hub and safeguarded land for expanding North Leamington School. Land may also be needed for a future Park and Ride, and the site must contribute to the Kenilworth to Leamington cycle route.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes proposal LEA.2 at Milverton, the second urban extension north of Leamington Spa. Some 76 hectares leave the Green Belt for at least 974 homes on about 38 hectares, with 38 hectares of open space, delivered between 2032 and 2045. It includes a food store of up to 15,000 sq ft, around 2 hectares of employment land, land for a possible hospital expansion, and a two-form entry primary school. A landscape-led approach is required given the site's sensitive position between Kenilworth and Leamington.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out proposal LEA.3 at Lillington, east of Leamington Spa. Of the 83-hectare site, 69 hectares leave the Green Belt for around 1,455 homes on 38 hectares, with 43 hectares of open space including a new Cubbington Community Park, delivered between 2031/32 and 2040/41. The scheme includes a two-form entry primary school and a small local centre. Open space keeps Lillington and Cubbington separate, and walking and cycling links must connect the site to Newbold Comyn and the surrounding countryside.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers proposal COV.1, south of Coventry. The 294-hectare development area, alongside a 236-hectare biodiversity enhancement area, will deliver 4,015 homes by 2050, two two-form entry primary schools, provision for a six-form entry secondary school and two neighbourhood centres. A new multimodal transport corridor will link Westwood Heath Road with the A46 Stoneleigh Junction, and land is safeguarded for a transport interchange with a rail station, park and ride and very light rail. Densities of at least 40 homes per hectare are expected.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers the Stoneleigh Employment Group, proposals STO.1 to STO.3, across 188 hectares. Together they deliver about 82.3 hectares of non-strategic employment land: 5.4 hectares through intensifying Stoneleigh Park, 64.9 hectares north and south of Stoneleigh Road, and 12 hectares at Manor Fields Farm. A new multimodal spine road, using former HS2 compound land, will give an alternative access to Stoneleigh Park and act as a bypass for Stoneleigh village. Development must protect Kings Wood, the Stoneleigh Abbey estate and other heritage assets, with delivery from 2030 onwards.