Stratford Planning
The Branch
keeps an eye on planning in the area ...
here are a few current issues ...
Housing
- Regional Planning Review
In
December 2007, the West Midlands Regional Assembly submitted
revisions to the Regional Strategy's proposal that 5,600 extra
houses should be built in the district over 20 years. This
was in line with the past pattern of housing development in
Stratford District and much would by conversions and infill,
or on small sites – as happens under the present Local
Plan.
But
in October 2008, the Nathaniel Lichfield Report, commissioned
by the Government, recommended that this figure should jump
to 10,100 – which would be an increase of nearly a fifth
in the housing stock. The difference would be accounted for
either by proposed ecotown at Long Marston, if it was approved,
or by an extension of Stratford town out into the countryside.
The
Examination in Public of the draft Regional Spatial Strategy
was completed in June 2009 and the final report is awaited.
See
our press release dated 11/11/08
See
also the CPRE
West Midlands website
Make your views known to wmrss@wmra.gov.uk
or Join Us
Make your views known to wmrss@wmra.gov.uk
or Join Us
Controversy at Admington
Permission was granted for a four bedroomed house at Admington but a six-bedroomed house was built which is three storeys high and is out of scale with other properties in the village. Stratford District Council granted retrospective permission. CPRE and local activists are exploring opportunities for this decision to be reviewed.
Middle
Quinton Eco Town Proposal.
The Government committed itself to support the development of
up to 10 eco-towns in the country. One proposal by St Modwen/Bird
Group is for an eco-town at Long Marston with the proposed
name of Middle Quinton. This has been opposed by Stratford
District Council and Warwickshire County Council. CPRE opposes
this development unless the 10 tests formulated by CPRE National
Office are met in full. The proposal has been considered by the Examination in Public of the revised Regional Strategy and the report is awaited.
Click
Here to see the Branch's letter to DCLG in response
to the Consultation dated 30th June 2008
CPRE’s
10 tests for eco-towns
•
the public and affected communities should be fully consulted
on schemes, including the principle of whether or not to have
an eco-town in their area;
•
schemes should be tested through regional spatial strategies
and local development framework reviews. These should ensure
that decisions on eco-towns take full account of evidence
on environmental effects, housing need and alternatives for
meeting this;
•
decisions on eco-towns should be accompanied by evidence that
demonstrates a new settlement to be the most sustainable option
for accommodating housing growth compared with other options,
such as redeveloping an existing urban brownfield site or
an urban extension;
•
schemes should demonstrate efficient use of land, with densities
capable of supporting public transport and a high priority
given to recycling brownfield land and buildings;
•
they should be genuinely carbon neutral, taking into account
potential emissions from transport (domestic, public and commercial)
and buildings (in construction and use);
•
they should foster a strong sense of place and community,
achieve CABE gold Building for Life Standards, with high quality
public spaces, architecture and street layouts that give priority
to pedestrians and non-motorised transport, including substantial
car free areas;
•
they should be subject to an independent landscape character
appraisal, be sympathetic to their setting and clearly enhance
the local landscape, built and natural heritage, including
through the designation of new Green Belt where appropriate;•
they should include measures designed to conserve water and
other natural resources, minimise soil, air, noise and light
pollution and achieve zero-waste;
•
they should be complete communities with homes (with at least
50% affordable), schools, workplaces, shops, recreation, community
and health facilities and open space within walking distance
and foster active, sustainable lifestyles and civic participation;
•
they should be well connected to surroundings with high quality
public transport providing good access to nearby settlements
and local supply networks, with sourcing of local produce,
such as food, fuel and replenishible building materials.
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