Stratford-on-Avon District Council has opened a public consultation on a draft Interim Policy Position Statement, as part of its approach to recovering a five-year housing land supply.

Being unable to demonstrate a five-year land supply has significant implications for the operation of planning policy. Under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), key development plan policies relating to housing must be considered out of date, and the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” is applied in decision-making.

To address this, the District Council is implementing a comprehensive Housing Land Supply Action Plan, agreed by Cabinet in October 2025 , focused on boosting supply and recovering a five-year position as quickly as possible.

A key early action is the publication of a draft Interim Policy Position Statement, which sets out:

• Which existing planning policies are now considered out of date.
• How national policy must be applied during this period.
• The implications for neighbourhood plans.
• The approach the District Council intends to take to encourage appropriate and deliverable housing proposals.

Cllr George Cowcher, Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder said: “The shortfall in our five-year housing land supply presents significant challenges, but it also requires us to respond openly and proactively. This interim statement is about giving clarity to residents, developers, and partners on how planning decisions will be made while we work to restore a five-year supply.

“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.”

The District Council is now seeking views from residents, developers, parish councils, and other stakeholders before finalising the document.

The consultation is now open and will run until 5pm on Monday 9 March.

The draft Interim Policy Position Statement is available to view here .

Responses should be submitted via the online consultation form that can be found here .

For more information please visit: Five Year Housing Supply | Stratford-on-Avon District Council 

A report on the outcomes of the consultation, together with the finalised statement, is expected to be considered by Cabinet on 13 April 2026.

Background Information

Under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), local planning authorities must be able to demonstrate a minimum five-year supply of deliverable housing sites to help significantly boost the supply of homes.

In October 2024, the District Council’s Housing Land Supply Monitor showed a 24.65-year supply when measured against its adopted Core Strategy, using the methodology required at that time.

However, the Government’s updated NPPF (December 2024) introduced substantial changes to how housing need is calculated, and how past delivery can be counted. When the District Council recalculated its position using the new methodology, its June 2025 interim statement showed a much-reduced figure of 5.06 years.

This interpretation was subsequently tested at a planning appeal, where both the methodology and deliverability of individual sites were examined in detail. In September 2025, the Planning Inspectorate concluded that Stratford-on-Avon District could only demonstrate a 2.74-year housing land supply as at 31 March 2024.

Hello everyone,

The March edition of the Compton Chronicle can now be found below.

https://bit.ly/CC-MARCH-26

Paper copies will be delivered in the coming days.

Please note that the next Chronicle will be the April edition. The closing date for submissions will be 12th March.

– The Chronicle Editorial Team

The government has launched a consultation to invite residents, businesses, and key stakeholders, to have their say as part of the consultation on what Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) should look like in Warwickshire.

Currently, Warwickshire has two-tiers of local government, Warwickshire County Council as one tier and five District and Borough Councils – North Warwickshire Borough, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough, Rugby Borough, Stratford and Warwick District Councils as the second tier.

Local government reorganisation (LGR) is planned for Warwickshire because central government has set out a national policy to reorganise the current two-tier system of local government in England to one tier, and Warwickshire is one of the areas affected by that policy.

In line with the Local Authority Publicity Code, the councils are not promoting or advocating for any option within the consultation. The consultation is being led by Government, which is seeking views on the options that have been put forward.

The Government is only consulting on whether residents would prefer one unitary council for Warwickshire, or separate north and south unitary councils.

How to take part

If you would like to share your views on Local Government Reorganisation in Warwickshire, the easiest way to take part is to provide your feedback through the online survey .

The consultation is open from Thursday, 5 February, until Thursday, 26 March.

Alternatively, paper copies are available from:

• Main council office reception areas
• Libraries operated by Warwickshire County Council
• Council-operated Museums
• Paper copies can also be requested by calling 01926 410 410

Your responses to the questions can then be submitted by email to lgrconsultationresponse@communities.gov.uk .

Written responses can also be sent to: LGR Consultation, Fry Building 2NE, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF

If completing a paper copy of the consultation form, please make it clear which consultation you are responding to.

Statement on behalf of all Council leaders in Warwickshire:

“Back in November 2025 we submitted each councils’ preferred options to Government. The Government is now looking to consult with the public and stakeholders to help them to make the final decision on LGR for Warwickshire.

“We hope you will take some time to share your views and help Government to understand what is important to you and how the reorganisation might impact you.  We expect to hear the final decision later in the year and will update you further then.

“We would like to collectively thank all residents, businesses, and stakeholders across Warwickshire for supporting the process so far, as we now move towards the final stage of reorganisation of your local councils.”

Local Government White Paper for Warwickshire

The English Devolution White Paper  published on 16 December 2024, outlined the Government’s ambition for devolution and local government reform in Warwickshire.

It includes plans to establish unitary councils in existing two-tier areas and invited councils to develop proposals for local government reorganisation.

The White Paper aims to ensure that decisions are made closer to local people, communities, and businesses, and it sets out the criteria for devolution deals. The White Paper is a significant step towards a new way of governing in England.

Timeline for reorganisation

Each council in Warwickshire had to submit its full proposal for LGR to government by 28 November 2025 for its consideration.

The proposed vesting day for new unitary authority or authorities in Warwickshire is set for April 2028.

Hello everyone,

The February edition of the Compton Chronicle can now be found below.

https://bit.ly/CC-FEB-26

Paper copies will be delivered in the coming days.

Please note that the next Chronicle will be the March edition. The closing date for submissions will be 12th February.

– The Chronicle Editorial Team

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is currently running a consultation on a proposal to introduce a Council Tax premium on second homes across the District. Further information and access to the on-line survey is available via the following links:

Stratford-on-Avon District Council launches consultation on second homes council tax premium | Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Council Tax Premiums on Second Homes Consultation | Stratford-on-Avon District Council

The consultation will remain open until Monday 2 February, and responses will help to shape the final decision.

Real Christmas Trees Collections🎄✨

SDC are collecting real Christmas trees from 9th January to 23rd January 2026 inclusive, and you don’t need to have a garden waste permit subscription. Please ensure that all lights and decorations have been removed from the tree. Any tree that is over 5ft tall must be cut in half.

If you’re subscribed to the garden waste service, you can chop it up and put it in your green bin.

Info of an upcoming event at the Great Western pub for any Lotus drivers or enthusiasts.

With Christmas now gone and the end of 2025 fast approaching, here’s a list of local pubs and what they’re doing for New Year’s Eve (if they’ve advertised) in case you’re still looking for somewhere to ring in the New Year… and lots are FREE ENTRY!

• Yew Tree, Avon Dassett – free entry, band 10pm-1am
• Antelope, Lighthorne – free bar entry, band
• Butchers Arms, Bishops Itchington – free entry, country disco and karaoke 8pm onwards
• Falcon, Warmington – pre-book, entry for drinks £15 including glass of fizz, entry for 3 course meal £79.95 including glass of fizz
• Great Western – free entry 11am to 4pm, pre-booked entry for 7 course meal with glass of fizz and entertainment for £80 from 7pm
• Green Man, Mollington – free entry, disco and 70s fancy dress
• Lost Pug, Northend – free entry, band 9pm onwards
• Malt Shovel, Gaydon – £5 entry per person including hot and cold food, DJ, Fancy Dress, cocktails, open 9pm until 2am
• Merrie Lion, Fenny Compton – free entry, party and glam rock fancy dress disco from 8pm
• Plough, Warmington – free entry, DJ and buffet

(Info correct at time of posting)

Please see a review of the year from Stratford District Council:

• 1026 Parish and Partners 55 – DEC25 lowres