Health, schools & community

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the healthy environment part of the plan. It explains that a healthy environment means building health and wellbeing into spatial planning, helping to reduce health inequalities, promote active lifestyles and give people access to safe homes, good open space and clean air. The plan aims to tackle challenges such as obesity and poor mental health through measures including active travel, green and blue infrastructure, healthy homes and Health Impact Assessments.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports proposals that reduce health inequalities and create an environment promoting healthy communities. It backs development that improves the physical, mental and social health and wellbeing of all residents, including children, elderly and vulnerable people. This includes schemes that consider green and blue infrastructure, access to open spaces and greenspaces, and active travel, meaning walking, cycling and other physical ways of getting around.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out when a Health Impact Assessment is required with a planning application. The thresholds are residential schemes of 10 or more homes or 0.5 hectares, non-residential schemes of 1,000 square metres or 1 hectare, hot food takeaways within 400 metres of schools and places where young people gather, and betting shops. Developments causing significant harm to health, or the loss of educational, health, leisure or community facilities or public open space, will not be supported without mitigation. Local life expectancy slightly exceeds the England average.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy states that development must not cause unacceptable pollution or environmental harm to human health, amenity or the natural environment. All development must apply the mitigation hierarchy, meaning avoid pollution first, then minimise and mitigate it, covering air, water and soil contamination, noise, vibration, odour, artificial light and other emissions. Where harm remains, it must be compensated through measurable environmental improvements. Pollution-sensitive uses such as housing, schools, hospitals and care homes are only permitted where people would not suffer unacceptable harm from existing or historic land uses.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the pollution policy. It notes that residual harm may only be permitted where it is offset through environmental improvements, secured and monitored long term, and where cumulative pollution from several developments together would not become unacceptable. The justification cites national policy requiring development to avoid causing or suffering unacceptable soil, air, water, noise or light pollution, and to respect Air Quality Management Areas and Clean Air Zones. Planning conditions or legal agreements may secure long-term management of compensation measures.

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 policy requires new developments to provide convenient and adequate on-site parking, including visitor, disabled and parent-and-child spaces, plus motorcycle and cycle parking. Parking levels should encourage public transport and active travel, with a more flexible approach in town centres. Less off-street parking is acceptable within 1km of a railway station in the main urban areas, or within 500m in other settlements. Published parking standards and design guidance will apply, and multistorey car parks are supported where they suit the area's character.

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 covers the Long Marston Airfield New Community, a 697-hectare site for at least 10,300 homes, with a minimum of 4,500 built by 2050. It also provides 15 hectares of employment land, 21 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, four primary schools, a secondary school with land reserved for a second, a district centre, three local centres and a new country park. Early phases of 500 homes can start first, but wider development depends on the Stratford-upon-Avon Bypass opening, expected in 2035. Land is safeguarded for a railway station.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out proposal BID.1, a mixed-use urban extension north and east of Bidford-on-Avon delivering at least 2,225 homes between 2033 and 2050 across around 221 hectares. It includes two primary schools, land for a secondary school, an early years facility, a local centre, 11 hectares of employment land and 8 Gypsy and Traveller pitches. A new link road with a bridge over the River Avon will cut traffic through the village centre, and open space will keep a green gap between Bidford and neighbouring Broom.

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 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 describes proposal HEN.1 at Henley-in-Arden, a 125-hectare masterplanned development of at least 2,084 homes, largely on the golf club land, delivered from 2029/30 to 2044/45. It includes 3.3 hectares of employment land, a two-form entry primary school, expansion of the secondary school with a new sixth form, 9 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, and a new country park at Beaudesert Mount. A link road from the A3400 to the A4189, including a new rail bridge, will let through traffic bypass the town centre. The site will be released from the Green Belt.

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 sets out proposal COV.3 at Kings Hill, south of Coventry. The 269-hectare site will deliver at least 4,000 homes in line with the adopted Kings Hill Masterplan and Design Code, of which 2,500 already have outline permission. It includes two two-form entry primary schools, a six-form entry secondary school with room to expand to eight forms, and two neighbourhood centres with a community centre and GP surgery. A multimodal spine road, bus gate access and provision for very light rail serve the site, with densities from 35 to 50 homes per hectare.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes proposal STR.1, north of Stratford-upon-Avon. The Clopton Quarter will deliver at least 777 homes, land for a new education facility, 4 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, new community orchards and a new gateway to Welcombe Hills Country Park with a visitor centre. The allocation also redevelops the town's Park and Ride with about 139 higher-density homes at 90 per hectare and a two-storey decked car park keeping roughly 390 spaces per floor. Delivery runs from 2029/30 to 2037/38, with main access from a new A46 roundabout.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out proposal STR.2, a 174-hectare site south-east of Stratford-upon-Avon delivering at least 2,727 homes between 2030/31 and 2048/49. It includes two new primary schools, a six-form entry secondary school, an on-site health facility, a mobility hub and 15 Gypsy and Traveller pitches. A new spine road will connect Shipston Road and Banbury Road. Design must avoid merging Stratford with Clifford Chambers or Tiddington, and a large area of parkland to the east will focus on biodiversity net gain.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers proposal STR.3, land west of Stratford-upon-Avon delivered between 2028/29 and 2036/37. Site A at West Shottery provides at least 687 homes, a community hall, local shops and an extension to the community park, with land safeguarded at its western edge for the proposed Stratford-upon-Avon Bypass. Site B, north of Evesham Road, adds up to 130 homes with about 3 hectares of open space. Around 23 hectares of public open space is provided in total, and development must protect the settings of Shottery Conservation Area and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out proposal WEL.1, land north of Wellesbourne. The 129-hectare allocation delivers at least 1,331 homes on 97 hectares between 2033 and 2042, plus 9 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, a two-form entry primary school, a local centre possibly including a health facility, and a sports pavilion. It also allocates 47.5 hectares (27 net) of employment land, mainly research and office use, at the University of Warwick's Wellesbourne Campus, with building heights ranging from one to four storeys across defined character areas. The setting of Charlecote Park must be protected.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section opens the appendices and annexes at the end of the plan, beginning with the glossary. The glossary explains planning terms and acronyms used throughout the document, starting with entries such as accessibility, accessible neighbourhoods, active travel, affordable housing, Air Quality Management Areas, the Annual Monitoring Report and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its purpose is to help readers understand technical language in the plan.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section lists the monitoring indicators the councils will use to check whether each plan policy is working. For every policy, from the development strategy through infrastructure, economy, housing, climate and environment chapters, it names the measures to be tracked, such as homes completed, affordable housing delivered, floorspace built, flood risk permissions and biodiversity net gain units. Some policies have no specific indicators. The results feed into ongoing monitoring of the plan.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the guidance on developer contributions, the payments and works councils can require to support new development. It explains the two main types: the Community Infrastructure Levy, a fixed charge per square metre, and planning obligations under Section 106 agreements, used for on-site infrastructure or funding elsewhere. Any obligation must be necessary, directly related to the development, and fair in scale and kind. Typical uses include affordable housing, schools, health facilities, open space, transport and drainage.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the public open space guidance annex, which explains how the plan's open space policies will be applied. It should be read alongside published technical notes, including a draft management plan, cost schedule and template legal agreements. It then begins defining four types of accessible greenspace: parks and gardens, recreation grounds, natural and semi-natural greenspace, and amenity greenspace, each described by its character and typical uses.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out detailed public open space guidance. New residential development must provide at least 5.67 hectares of usable open space per 1,000 residents, calculated from bedroom numbers, with the same standard applied to jobs in commercial schemes. Space should be on site, or within about 480 metres, or funded through a financial contribution. Developments over 100 homes must provide allotments. It also covers 30-year maintenance sums, minimum sizes for council adoption, delivery before 60% of homes are occupied, management company rules, and design standards for planting, play areas and sustainable drainage.