TIME is running out for residents to have their say on the future of housing in the district.
Stratford District Council 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.
A number of changes were made to the key planning document, which outlines where, when and how many houses will be built in the district by 2031, before it underwent a second public examination in January.
Following on from the examination, council chiefs came up with some final modifications they say are necessary to make the plan capable of adoption.
A six week public consultation period giving people the opportunity to make their thoughts known was launched at the end of March.
It is set to end next Thursday (May 12) at which point all comments will be forwarded to the inspector, who will take them into account as he completes his final report and decides whether the Core Strategy can be officially rubber-stamped by the council.
The overall housing target currently stands at 14,600 homes – around 730 per year – and the authority has confirmed it has a range of 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.
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.
The council is aiming to have the document formally adopted by the summer.
