STRATFORD District Council’s bid to build for the future could finally be coming to an end.
The authority submitted its Core Strategy to the government in September 2014 and a public examination was carried out by planning inspector Pete Drew in January last year.
In his interim report Mr Drew advised the council to look again at the document and this led to councillors agreeing a number of changes.
The key planning document, which outlines where, when and how many houses will be built in the district by 2031, was then resubmitted in October and a second public examination was undertaken by Mr Drew in January.
Following on from the examination, council chiefs have since come up with a number of final modifications they say are necessary to make the plan capable of adoption.
And the modifications are now set to undergo a six week public consultation period before the responses are forwarded to Mr Drew.
He will then produce a report based on feedback from the consultation and the findings of the examination in which he will decide whether the Core Strategy can be officially adopted by the council.
The overall housing target stands at 14,600 homes – around 730 per year – and the authority has confirmed it has a range of reserve sites that could be brought forward for development should the need arise.
Plans to build 3,000 homes in Gaydon and Lighthorne Heath, which have been long-fought by campaign group FORSE, have been retained with certain revisions alongside proposals for around 4,000 homes in total at sites on Long Marston Airfield, Bishopton Lane in Stratford, and Daventry Road in Southam.
The council has pledged to retain and support the enhancement of the established flying functions and aviation-related facilities at Wellesbourne Airfield and a new allocation of 10 hectares of employment land at Atherstone Airfield has been included in the modifications.
They also include an emphasis on finding appropriate new uses for previously developed brownfield land while at the same time, protecting the Green Belt from unsuitable development.
Leader of Stratford District Council, Chris Saint said: “I am delighted the inspector seems ready to declare our plan sound.
“We look forward to the adoption of the Core Strategy this summer – it will enable us to manage development in a more objective manner.”
The public consultation will end on May 12 and previously submitted comments have already been taken into account so people are reminded to only comment on the newly-worded policies resulting from the proposed modifications.
Representations can be made online, by downloading a form and emailing [email protected], by posting a form to FREEPOST RSLH – ZYKJ – TYAZ, Stratford DC, PO BOX 5341, Stratford, CV37 1LE.
They can also be made at the council offices on Church Street with forms available on request.
Documents and guidance notes on how to make representations are available online at www.stratford.gov.uk/corestrategy or by calling 01789 260334.
