Jenny Bevan, who stood for Labour in the last County Council elections in Budbrook & Bishops Tachbrook which forms part of this constituency, gives an up-date on the current status of the SWLP, what to focus on at this stage and what resources are useful.
“South Warwickshire Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation now live.
It’s really important to read the guidance, consultation document and supporting information before responding. The Regulation 19 consultation is not a public consultation in the way most residents would understand it. It is not about whether development should take place on the sites identified, as those decisions were made at an earlier stage (whether we like it or not).
This consultation is about whether the plan is legally compliant, has met the Duty to Cooperate and is sound. To have the greatest impact, people need to focus their time and effort on these issues.
You may have significant reservations about a number of the sites identified. However, in order to be effective, responses need to focus on the aspects of the plan that can still be influenced rather than those that cannot.”
Warwick District and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils formally approved the South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) for publication on 15th July 2026. In accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, the South Warwickshire Local Plan and its supporting documents have been published for public consultation.
The South Warwickshire Local Plan Publication Version (Regulation 19) consultation is now live and runs for a period of 7 weeks from Tuesday 21 July 2026 until 23:59pm on Tuesday 8 September 2026. During this time, any person or organisation may make representations.
When adopted, the SWLP will become part of the statutory Development Plan for Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick districts and used to inform decisions about the location and appropriateness of proposals for development, including making decisions on planning applications. The South Warwickshire Local Plan will guide where new homes, businesses, employment and infrastructure are located across the combined Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Council areas up to 2050. It aims to ensure that development is carefully planned and supported by the necessary infrastructure including schools, health facilities, and green spaces to meet the future needs of local communities.
This consultation is undertaken for the fourth stage of the Plan and is focused on specific issues, namely, whether the SWLP meets legal requirements, has been positively prepared and is justified, effective and consistent with national planning policy. The consultation gives residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to have a final say before the document is submitted to the Government for independent examination.
Please note that it is not possible to extend the deadline for this consultation.
The consultation document and supporting information is available to view on the SWLP Regulation 19 webpage. https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/publication-regulation-19-consultation.cfm
How to comment
Responses to this consultation must be received by 23:59pm on Tuesday 8 September 2026, and may be submitted in the following ways:
Through the SWLP online consultation portal
https://southwarwickshire.oc2.uk/document/168
Via email to swlp@warwickdc.gov.uk
Or by post to Planning Policy Team, Stratford on Avon District Council, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX.
We encourage you to respond online via the South Warwickshire Local Plan Consultation Portal where possible. https://southwarwickshire.oc2.uk/document/168
This is the most efficient way for your comments to be processed.
Those making a representation should also state whether they would like to speak at the independent examination.
A guidance note has been produced to provide information on how to respond to the Regulation 19 consultation
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