New village is set to be created near Leamington

Stratford District Council (SDC) has approved its core strategy document, which earmarks the development of thousands of homes.

The majority of of them are planned near Gaydon and Lighthorne Heath.

This site - which the council calls a ‘new settlement’ - will include 4,500 homes, an 18 hectare business park, a village centre with shops, new schools and a parkland area.

Warwick District Council put forward its own local plan - which proposes about 5,000 homes south of Warwick and Leamington, with about 700 in Kenilworth.

SDC’s plans are now subject to public consultation.

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: “This has been a long drawn out process but a document of this nature and importance in not something that can be rushed. It needs a measured approach and I am pleased to say we have this in the current document.

“The strategy recognises that growth is needed but not at the expense of undermining the character of our communities. Local businesses are crying out for new sites to enable their business to grow and we have been able to identify what I hope will be a suitable range of sites both to enable existing employers to stay and flourish in the District and to ensure we can welcome new firms to the area to lift local employment prospects.

“It is tricky to balance housing need and housing development and business needs and business development to everyone’s satisfaction. People need homes and we are keen to see these built in the District where there is a need and where people want them. This document will help us control development and where it takes place.”