RESIDENTS are being consulted on plans to address a major housing shortfall in the district.
It was revealed back in October that thousands more homes could be built in order for Stratford District Council to restore its five year housing land supply.
It follows a planning appeal last year which concluded that SDC could only demonstrate 2.74 years of deliverable housing land, below the five-year requirement set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.
This shortfall has triggered the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’, increasing the likelihood of speculative applications and reducing SDC’s ability to refuse developments outside designated areas.
The action plan’s key measures include identification and promotion of new housing sites and the acceleration of planning processes.
SDC estimates that the proposed measures could contribute between 2,580 and 3,173 homes toward the identified shortfall of 3,500 to 4,000 homes.
The action plan is expected to restore the five-year supply by summer 2027, subject to successful implementation and resource allocation.
Residents can now have their say on a draft action plan.
SDC’s planning spokeperson Coun George Cowcher said: “The shortfall in our five-year housing land supply presents significant challenges, but it also requires us to respond openly and proactively.
“Our priority is to support the delivery of well‑planned, high‑quality homes in the right places, with the infrastructure our communities need. We are acting quickly through our Housing Land Supply Action Plan, and we strongly encourage everyone with an interest in the future development of our district to take part in this consultation.”
Visit online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/674387f7-d781-47ae-96aa-a4a5eadcf113 to take part in the consultation before 5pm on Monday March 9.
