Health, schools & community

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section opens the chapter on delivering infrastructure. During consultation, residents consistently raised concerns that existing infrastructure lacks capacity and that new development would make things worse. The plan therefore requires housing and employment growth to be supported by the infrastructure needed to serve it, including roads, schools, health services and community facilities, with development contributing to that provision.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out timing expectations for different types of infrastructure on new developments. Community facilities must come with the first phase, and open space should be ready for the earliest occupiers rather than left to the end. New schools should be provided early because off-site schooling harms community building. Drainage and flood works are installed early and must be defect free, utilities including broadband must be in place before occupation, and public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure is prioritised to establish sustainable travel habits from the outset.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the transport infrastructure policies. The plan is built on the idea of 20-minute neighbourhoods, where daily needs can be met close to home, and new infrastructure is planned to achieve this for new and existing residents. Where journeys are needed, walking, cycling and public transport are encouraged through new facilities and the safeguarding of existing routes. Some highway improvements and mitigation are also needed and land is protected for them.

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 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 section covers open space allocations. Public open spaces allocated in the 2014 Site Allocations document are carried over into this plan, and three new allocations are added: the open spaces linked to the two Warner Bros. Studios sites and the Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace serving housing site H34 west of the Kings Langley Estate. Housing developments must contribute to open space and children's play space where the scale of development justifies it. The council will update its open space study after adoption, which may lead to further allocations.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires development to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport to encourage a shift away from private car use, with sustainable transport made inclusive and accessible to all. Proposals must be in sustainable locations that minimise travel distances and maximise sustainable travel, with safe and convenient links that integrate with existing networks. They must be backed by transport evidence, such as Transport Statements or Assessments and Travel Plans, demonstrating that opportunities for sustainable transport are delivered.

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 education allocations. A new secondary school site is allocated at Carpenders Park Farm, Oxhey Lane (ED1), able to accommodate a school of up to 10 forms of entry serving Carpenders Park, South Oxhey, Eastbury and parts of neighbouring boroughs. Land including and adjoining The Reach Free School (ED2) is allocated for a new secondary school or a four form entry expansion, and a primary school site at Woodside Road, Abbots Langley (ED3) is carried over from 2014. Identified school sites will be safeguarded for educational use.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the transport chapter. It explains that good road, rail, bus, walking, cycling and digital links are vital to the district's economy, environment and social wellbeing. Car ownership in Three Rivers is high, traffic is forecast to grow by 15.6% by 2031, and there are existing congestion problems. The plan aims to put new development where people can realistically use public transport, walking and cycling, working with Hertfordshire County Council, National Highways and other transport providers.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires new development to be located where sustainable travel is realistic. Schemes must support walking, cycling and public transport, with safe direct routes, secure cycle parking and good access for buses. Developments generating significant traffic must provide a Transport Assessment or Statement and a Travel Plan showing how impacts will be managed. Improvements will be delivered directly or funded through Section 106 agreements or the Community Infrastructure Levy, which are payments developers make towards infrastructure. Moving freight from road to rail or canal is supported in principle.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires electric vehicle charging infrastructure that exceeds national minimum standards. Delivery is prioritised in public car parks and in areas of terraced or social housing where home charging is not possible, with access for all tenures. Housing schemes with communal or unallocated parking must provide active charging points for at least 20% of unallocated spaces, with all remaining spaces wired for future connection. Non-residential developments with 10 or more spaces must provide charging appropriate to the use, going beyond Building Regulations requirements.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets parking rules for new development. Parking must follow the standards in Appendix 3, including zone-based reductions in areas well served by public transport. In major schemes of 10 or more homes, 20% of spaces should be unallocated, supported by a parking management plan. Parking areas must not harm road safety, a building's setting or the character of an area, and need soft landscaping and surfaces that manage rainwater. Electric vehicle charging points are required, and car clubs are supported in suitable locations.

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 manages the impacts of building work, deliveries and servicing. Construction Management Plans are required for sites close to the Strategic Road Network, and may be needed wherever highway safety or amenity could suffer; environmental management plans may also be required. Developments must show how deliveries, waste collection and servicing will work for their whole lifetime, ideally off street, without causing noise, obstruction or nuisance for residents and businesses. Delivery and Servicing Plans are required where vehicle movements could affect roads, the public realm or neighbours.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects the district's canal and rivers. Development near waterways must protect and enhance waterway infrastructure. New permanent moorings and marinas are only allowed next to existing built-up areas, and must not harm nature conservation, heritage, navigation or the towpath, restrict leisure boaters' access to moorings, or increase flood risk. Major schemes beside waterways should consider providing new moorings or water-based leisure facilities, and look at using the canal for freight during construction or as a renewable energy source.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the chapter on social, health and wellbeing. It explains that facilities such as libraries, places of worship, community centres, village halls, sports venues, theatres and pubs perform a vital function in the district's economic and social welfare. The plan strongly supports keeping and improving this community infrastructure, and expects a range of new social and community facilities to be provided as part of significant new development.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects community buildings and services. Development that would remove a community facility will not be allowed unless an equal replacement is provided on site, the need can be met by an accessible facility elsewhere, or evidence shows there is no demand and the building cannot serve another community use. Where a use is claimed to be unviable, marketing and financial evidence is required. New and improved facilities are supported in accessible locations, funded where needed through developer contributions. Facilities not open to the public, such as school sports halls, must agree community access.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires all development to be designed to promote healthy communities and reduce health inequalities. Schemes should provide open space, sport, recreation and cultural facilities, and safe walking and cycling routes. New health facilities should be located where there is a choice of sustainable transport. Allotments and community orchards are protected and food growing in new developments is encouraged. A Health Impact Assessment, a study of how a scheme affects people's health, is required for residential schemes of 100 or more homes and non-residential schemes of 1,000 square metres or more.

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 policy requires development to protect existing public open space and provide new space for growing communities. Existing open spaces can only be lost if they are shown to be surplus or replaced with equivalent or better provision. Major developments must provide 5.67 hectares of accessible greenspace per 1,000 people, made up of parks and gardens (1.4ha), recreation grounds (0.5ha), natural and semi-natural greenspace (3.17ha) and amenity greenspace (0.6ha). Smaller schemes contribute pro rata, and all open space must remain publicly accessible permanently.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets further open space requirements and explains how they apply. Developments must provide 0.86 hectares of community growing space, including allotments, per 1,000 households, and 0.5 hectares of play provision for children and teenagers per 1,000 people. Major schemes must submit an open space and play assessment. Off-site provision or payments are only accepted where on-site provision is genuinely not achievable. Student housing, care villages and retirement communities must contribute, and major commercial schemes may also need to provide open space.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets accessibility standards for open space and play areas. Every home in a major development must be within reach of a neighbourhood greenspace and a local or doorstep greenspace, with catchments ranging from 200 metres for a doorstep space to 5,000 metres for a district space of 100 hectares. Play areas have their own catchments, from 100 metres for small local play areas to 1,000 metres for larger equipped ones, and community growing spaces should be within 1 kilometre of new homes. Design should follow recognised guidance, including inclusive play and provision suited to teenage girls.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets out who will own and look after public open space created by development. Open space will be offered to the town or parish council or the local planning authority, along with a 30-year maintenance payment from the developer. A management and maintenance plan is required, including yearly joint inspections with the council. Handing open space to a private management company is only allowed in exceptional circumstances, after both the council and a residents' association have declined it. Open space must stay publicly accessible permanently.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains how the open space stewardship policy will be enforced. Where a private company manages open space, the council keeps the right to inspect it and require remedial work, backed by planning enforcement if needed. If a residents' association route is used, the space should transfer to it within 5 years of the last home being occupied. The council may decline to adopt open space where costs or practical difficulties are too great. Detailed standards and methods for calculating maintenance sums are set out in Annex C of the plan.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the community and leisure infrastructure policies. It explains that sustainable communities need access to facilities that support daily life and residents' health and wellbeing. The policies that follow protect existing sport, recreation and leisure facilities and secure new ones, protect community facilities such as local shops, halls and pubs, and support the area's arts and culture offer across South Warwickshire.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects sport, recreation and leisure facilities and requires new housing to support them. Facilities can only be lost if an equivalent replacement is provided, they are shown to be surplus, the benefits of the proposal clearly outweigh the loss, or the facility adds no real value to the area. New facilities must meet recognised sporting standards and be reachable by public transport, walking and cycling. Major developments must provide facilities on site or pay towards off-site improvements, calculated using Sport England's tools.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the evidence behind the sport and leisure policy. The Playing Pitch Strategy and Built Facilities Strategy inform decisions on protecting and providing facilities. Sport England's calculators estimate how many pitches and buildings a new development's population would need and the associated costs. Where a scheme is too small to justify a whole new pitch or facility, a contribution towards improving an existing site is recommended instead. The approach follows national planning policy on access to sport for health and wellbeing.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation describes Kingsbrook, a 306.6-hectare urban extension east of Aylesbury delivering 2,460 homes, 10 hectares of employment land, two primary schools, land for a secondary school, a neighbourhood centre and a major wetland park. Outline permission was granted in 2013 and the site is built as three villages. As of March 2025, 1,922 homes were complete with 538 remaining, and the Eastern Link Road and Stocklake Link have been finished. The whole development is expected to be complete by 2028.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects community facilities that serve local needs. A facility can only be lost if a viability assessment confirms it has no realistic prospect of continuing, it has been actively marketed for at least 12 months at a realistic price for its lawful use, and similar facilities are easily accessible nearby or a comparable replacement is provided. Proposals for new or improved community facilities will be supported where they promote healthy, inclusive and safe communities.