The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the detailed rules for self-build schemes. Plots should come in clusters of around 5 to 9, with Design Codes and Plot Passports setting the design rules for multi-plot sites. Plots must first be offered to people with a local connection through living, working or close family in South Warwickshire, with an exemption for current and recent armed forces members. Plots must be fully serviced and marketed at a fair, independently valued price for at least 12 months; unsold plots may then become open market homes. Guidance also covers phasing and Community Infrastructure Levy exemptions.
Design & placemaking
Design quality, design codes, character of new development, space standards and residential amenity.
121 sections of the plan, in document order.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports an assumed 560 homes on 17.44 hectares south of Haddenham, subject to a comprehensive masterplan approved before any planning application. The layout must account for an underground fuel pipeline and the nearby wastewater treatment works, with an odour assessment to protect future residents and the works' continued operation. The site has high archaeological potential, including possible prehistoric and medieval remains, and development should focus on the less sensitive northern area to protect views and the setting of the conservation area.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets out an assumed 1,500 homes on around thirty hectares off Little Horwood Road, Winslow. It includes a primary school, a local shop, a community hall and healthcare provision, plus financial contributions to secondary and special needs education. Access comes from Little Horwood Road and the B4032, with good walking and cycling links to the town centre and the new Winslow Station. The setting of the Grade II listed Redhall Farmhouse must be protected, and half the site needs archaeological investigation first.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers the Winslow Centre, the former Winslow Secondary School site of around six hectares, for an assumed 480 homes and a community library. Existing sports facilities must be replaced at the new settlement site north of Winslow before they are lost. Part of the land is safeguarded for East West Rail, so development must not conflict with the railway's delivery. Higher density is expected given the town centre location, with improved walking and cycling links to the station and schools.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets out an assumed 1,250 homes on around fifty-two hectares near Cheddington station, which has direct trains to Milton Keynes in under 20 minutes and London Euston in about 50 minutes. It includes a primary school, a section of the Horton Bypass, a new railway bridge with a westbound road, and a 30mph limit on the B488. A landscape buffer must protect the neighbouring hamlet of Horton, and suitable natural green space is expected to be provided on site.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports an assumed 365 homes on 9.15 hectares off Station Road, west of Cheddington village. The scheme must make good use of the station location and contribute to shared infrastructure, including the Horton bypass, a new railway bridge, a bus route to Aylesbury via Wingrave, and walking and cycling routes. The protected tree-lined frontage on Station Road must be kept and improved. Development must not prejudice the larger planned new settlement at Cheddington, and mitigation for the Chilterns Beechwoods protected area is required.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets climate resilient design expectations for new-build major development, meaning 10 or more homes or 1,000 square metres of floorspace. Applicants must show they have tackled overheating risk using the cooling hierarchy, which works through steps in order. The first steps are cutting internal heat from equipment, then limiting summer heat entering the building through orientation, shading, light-coloured materials, windows and insulation. Later steps manage heat inside through thermal mass, high ceilings and passive ventilation.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains Policy NZ.5 on designing buildings to cope with a hotter climate. Major new developments must follow the cooling hierarchy, using passive measures first and active cooling such as air conditioning only as a last resort. Detailed overheating assessments using the industry methods CIBSE TM52 (non-residential) and TM59 (residential) are encouraged, ideally tested against projected 2050 or 2080 weather. The councils argue that the basic route through national Building Regulations Part O is not enough, partly because it does not cover workplaces, schools or leisure buildings.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers the Bucks Goat Centre and Layby Farm near Stoke Mandeville for approximately one hectare of employment land for offices, light industry and research. The Bucks Goat Centre visitor attraction can continue, be reconfigured or relocated, and existing educational uses retained or re-provided. A site-wide masterplan is required, and buildings must respect neighbouring bungalows in scale and use local materials such as timber cladding and red brick. A financial contribution to the Southeast Aylesbury Link Road is also required.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full requirements of Policy NZ.7 on local energy systems for major development. Applicants must submit a feasibility and viability assessment covering heat networks, on-site renewables, heat pumps, storage and embodied carbon. They must also carry out thermal masterplanning, which maps heat demand and safeguards routes for future energy infrastructure. A clear order of preference applies for heating, starting with connection to a heat network and ending with other systems only where better options are unworkable. Schemes must also plan for grid capacity, energy resilience and long-term management.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the policy on local energy systems for minor development. As well as encouraging measures such as solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage, it supports sharing energy infrastructure across neighbouring sites where this causes no unacceptable harm to amenity, landscape or the environment. Energy equipment must be sensitively designed to limit impacts on landscape, heritage, noise, air quality, biodiversity, flood risk and neighbours. The justification notes that decentralised energy helps achieve net zero, eases pressure on the electricity grid and avoids locking in high carbon systems.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full protection rules for wildlife sites, habitats and species. Development causing loss or deterioration of internationally designated sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland will be refused, and locally important sites are also protected. Minimum wildlife buffers apply: 50 metres from ancient woodland and veteran trees, 30 metres from other woodland, 8 metres either side of watercourses and 5 metres either side of intact hedgerows. Up-to-date ecological surveys are required where protected assets may be affected.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation provides approximately 2.3 hectares of flexible employment land at Rectory Farm, New Road, Weston Turville, for office, research, industrial and storage uses. The site forms part of the wider Hampden Fields strategic allocation, and development must fit with the agreed Hampden Fields masterplan and phasing. Proposals need safe vehicle access from New Road, walking and cycling links to nearby employment areas and homes, and landscape buffers to protect neighbouring residents and the countryside. Around 1.9 hectares of new employment development are expected after supporting infrastructure.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the background to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy policy. The strategy was introduced by the Environment Act 2021 and prepared by Warwickshire County Council to identify the best places for creating and restoring habitats. It is not a planning designation and adds no new constraints, but councils must have regard to it. Developers can show compliance through green infrastructure design, aligning Biodiversity Net Gain with strategy priorities, and using its mapping data. Local habitats and species such as calcareous grassland, Eurasian curlews and lesser horseshoe bats get special consideration.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full requirements for trees, hedges and woodlands. Development must keep buffer zones around ancient woodland and veteran trees, design retained trees into streets, open spaces and drainage from the start, and deliver a measurable increase in tree canopy cover. All planting must use native, climate-resilient species and have maintenance plans, including replacing failed planting. The justification notes tree cover is uneven across the area and points to recognised standards such as BS 5837 for tree protection and the UK Forestry Standard.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy states that South Warwickshire's historic environment should be conserved and, where appropriate, enhanced for its own value, for residents and visitors, and for its contribution to sense of place and the local economy. Development affecting heritage assets must be high quality and sensitively designed. The policy covers designated assets such as listed buildings, conservation areas, registered parks and gardens, battlefields and scheduled monuments, plus locally listed assets, designed landscapes, archaeological remains, and historic transport networks including canals and railways.
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 the preservation of heritage assets and the reasoning behind the heritage policy. The councils will use statutory powers, including repair and urgent works notices, to protect buildings on national and local heritage at risk registers. The justification highlights the economic value of assets such as Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's family homes, and explains that new development affecting historic buildings must use appropriate materials, with uPVC windows, artificial roof slates and plastic rainwater goods given as common examples of unsuitable choices.
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 accessible homes on sites of 10 or more dwellings. On these sites, 25% of all homes must meet the Building Regulations M4(2) standard for accessible and adaptable dwellings, and a further 5% must meet the M4(3) wheelchair user standard, including 7% of affordable homes. Compliance should be shown in the Design and Access Statement. Figures are rounded down to the nearest home, so schemes below 20 homes will not need to provide M4(3) wheelchair-accessible dwellings.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports self-build and custom housebuilding, where people commission or build their own homes. On sites of 50 or more dwellings, at least 5% of market homes must be provided as serviced plots for self or custom build, unless robust evidence shows a lower share is needed for viability. Plots must be marketed for at least 24 months; if unsold they should be offered to the Council or a Registered Provider before the developer can build them out as market housing. Each plot needs a plot passport setting out its key design rules.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets rules for large houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), typically shared homes for seven or more unrelated people. Proposals must not create an over-concentration of HMOs that harms local character or parking availability, must use suitable buildings with proper refuse storage, cycle and car parking and drying areas, and must be accessible to public transport, shops and local services. Management arrangements to limit antisocial behaviour may be required by planning condition. Smaller HMOs of three to six people are treated like ordinary housing.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Village Greens, which are formally recognised historic landscapes. Development affecting them is only supported where it conserves and enhances their historic significance, landscape character, biodiversity value and public amenity. Proposals must be landscape-led, preserve historic design and planting, deliver measurable Biodiversity Net Gain, safeguard openness and tranquillity, restore lost features where appropriate, and maintain public access. A proportionate Landscape and Biodiversity Strategy is required, plus a Heritage Impact Assessment where a designated heritage asset is affected.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires specialist and supported housing on larger sites. Developments of more than 600 homes must provide at least 10% of homes as older persons accommodation, and sites of more than 150 homes must provide at least 4% of the affordable housing for other specialist needs, such as people with learning disabilities or mental health needs. Older persons schemes must be in sustainable locations with on-site care and social facilities. Existing specialist housing cannot be lost unless equivalent or better provision is made nearby or the use is shown to be unviable.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy manages changes to existing buildings. Converting existing buildings is encouraged as an often more sustainable approach, but the existing housing stock is safeguarded: proposals must not cause a net loss of homes through demolition, conversion or change of use without overriding justification. Extensions and alterations must be of appropriate scale and subservient to the existing building, respecting local character, the cumulative effect of previous extensions, and neighbours' amenity. Outbuildings and annexes must likewise be subservient to the main building and carefully sited.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the policy on altering existing buildings. Replacement dwellings are only appropriate where the existing home is unsuitable for retention, and must be well sited, well designed and not significantly larger than the home replaced. The existing dwelling must have lawful use as a home and not have been demolished or abandoned before the application is decided. The justification notes that managing housing stock reduces the loss of homes, and that conversions can add to housing supply as windfall sites, though intensification can affect neighbours and local infrastructure.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy controls advertisements so they do not compromise amenity or highway safety. Adverts will be refused where their size, design, colour, materials or illumination would unduly harm a building's character or setting, with externally lit signs preferred, especially in conservation areas. Signage should be kept to a minimum, and digital displays and internally illuminated signs are discouraged in conservation areas and near listed buildings. Unacceptable safety impacts include blocking safety cameras, reducing natural surveillance or distracting road users.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out how advertisements will be controlled so they do not harm local character or highway safety. Adverts must not be excessive in size, design, colour, materials or illumination, and externally illuminated signs are preferred, especially in Conservation Areas. Digital displays and internally lit signs are discouraged near listed buildings and in Conservation Areas. Adverts should sit within the premises they relate to and must not obscure views, safety cameras or road signs, or distract drivers.
The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy guides development on windfall sites, meaning unallocated sites that come forward unexpectedly within settlements. Development will be permitted where its scale, density and character fit the existing settlement, either within the built-up area or by consolidating the settlement pattern without harm. Proposals must not cause settlements to merge, must avoid significant harm to landscape, heritage, biodiversity and open space, and must have the infrastructure capacity to support them. The policy includes criteria for judging whether a site counts as being within a settlement.
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.