DISAPPOINTMENT has been expressed by Stratford District Council following the outcome of a planning appeal which has granted permission for up to 130 homes on Bordon Hill.
The appeal, brought by Gladman Developments Ltd, was allowed by the Planning Inspectorate despite SDC’s strong opposition on grounds of landscape impact, heritage concerns, and conflict with local planning policies.
The decision, issued on September 3, reflects the growing pressure on local authorities to approve housing developments owing to significant increases in housing numbers. In particular, the revised National Planning Policy Framework introduced in December 2024 has significantly altered how housing land supply is calculated with Stratford district’s number increasing by some 52 per cent.
SDC’s deputy leader Coun George Cowcher said: “We are extremely disappointed by this decision. It undermines our local planning policies and the wishes of our communities. The district council has a strong record in housing supply and in the past five years we have consistently exceeded our housing building targets, despite this, the significant increases in centrally imposed housing targets have meant that we have been unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
“The Inspector’s ruling shows how the Government is determined to push through housing applications, even when they conflict with environmental and cultural protections.”
SDC is now investigating urgent steps to address the deficit and regain control over local planning decisions. As well as continuing to progress the South Warwickshire Local Plan to ensure the council has an up-to-date local plan, such steps could include exploring the use of empty homes across the district to contribute to housing supply and evaluating policy changes to require developers to begin construction within 12 to 18 months of receiving planning permission, to discourage land banking and ensure timely delivery.
Coun Cowcher added: “We are doing everything within our control to protect our communities from a forest of speculative planning applications. We want to ensure that development happens in the right places, with the right infrastructure, and in line with our local vision. The council remains committed to sustainable development and will continue to work with residents, parish councils, and stakeholders to shape the future of the district.
“Proper planning is not just about building homes; it’s about building and strengthening communities by ensuring that new homes are provided alongside jobs, infrastructure and open spaces and this can only be achieved through a plan-led approach.”
