Jobs & economy

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 policy requires affordable workspace in larger employment schemes. It applies to developments of 1,000 square metres or more of employment floorspace, including major mixed-use schemes. At least 10% of the floorspace must be affordable workspace, let at rents at least 20% below average market rents and secured permanently through planning obligations. It should normally be provided on site; where that is shown to be unfeasible, off-site provision or a payment may be accepted. Exceptions must be justified by a robust viability assessment, with review mechanisms possible.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains why affordable workspace is needed. Over 80% of firms in South Warwickshire are micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and these are most exposed to rising property costs. The South Warwickshire Affordable Business Study (2026) found a constrained supply of quality office and industrial space, affordability pressures for small firms and start-ups, and limited new development because of viability. Viability testing suggested large industrial sites could deliver 10% affordable workspace at 60% of market rents.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the town centre policies. Town centres serve local communities, support economic growth and act as focal points for retail, commercial, cultural, leisure, community and civic life. Changing habits, including the growth of internet shopping and the effects of the Covid pandemic, are reshaping high streets. The plan therefore aims for a flexible framework that keeps town centres vital and viable, encourages a wider mix of uses and improves the quality of the public realm.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy promotes the vitality of town centres and their Primary Shopping Areas, the defined retail cores shown on the Policies Map. Within these areas, employment land cannot change to non-employment uses unless shown to be unviable, ground floor retail units are restricted to commercial uses, and housing is only permitted on upper floors. New town centre uses must suit the centre's scale and character. Edge-of-centre and then out-of-centre sites are only considered when no suitable central site exists, with impact evidence required for proposals over 280 square metres.

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 introduces the policies on employment and road freight. It notes that employment sites can harm the road network when transport is not considered from the earliest stage, and that growing demand for large-scale storage and logistics sites has brought a matching increase in road freight traffic. The policies support strategic objectives on jobs and economic growth, net zero carbon and connecting people to places.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires new employment development to improve sustainable transport access to the site, allowing access for all users including pedestrians and cyclists where possible. It asks developments to reduce the carbon impact of freight and work-related vehicle movements. Using electric vehicles for freight, including last-mile deliveries, and building the infrastructure to support them will be supported.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the plan's approach to employment and road freight. It notes that employment sites can harm the road network if transport is not considered early, and that rising demand for large storage and logistics sites has increased lorry traffic. Policy EC.7 asks new employment development to improve sustainable transport access, cut freight carbon and support electric freight vehicles. Schemes that significantly increase freight movements must provide lorry parking, large developments need Travel Plans and transport assessments, and freight vehicles should avoid residential areas wherever possible.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers proposal GAY.1, a 588-hectare employment allocation at Gaydon next to the Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin Lagonda sites. It provides about 157 hectares of strategic employment land and 81 hectares of non-strategic land, focused on automotive manufacturing. At least 50% of floorspace on the main site must be industrial or research uses, with warehousing capped at 50%. It includes 51 hectares for JLR expansion, 7.5 hectares for AML, 73.5 hectares of testing tracks, and a travelling showpersons yard of at least 8 plots.