Please see below forthcoming dates for the Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team. All are encouraged to attend to share concerns:
All posts by Sarah Richardson
Small Sites in the South Warwickshire Local Plan
The South Warwickshire Local Plan Team write:
It has come to our attention that there may have been some mixed messaging as regards the status of smaller sites submitted for consideration in the South Warwickshire Local Plan. I am writing to clarify the situation and encourage you to include comments on small sites as part of your consultation response.
Part A of our HELAA site assessment sifted out some sites, with the remainder being further assessed in HELAA part B. All of the sites assessed in part B remain in consideration for the SWLP. This is the case whether or not they fall into a Strategic Growth Location or a New Settlement location. While the majority of these sites are unlikely to be allocated, we do expect that we will need some of them, in particular:
- Sites in urban areas. Urban brownfield sites will be our first choice.
- Some small sites to maintain a 5 Year Housing Land Supply. Smaller sites tend to come forward more quickly than larger sites, and we need to ensure a constant supply of housing over the plan period.
- Some small sites for self and custom build. We are required to provide enough plots to meet our need. Some of this need will be met on larger sites, but it is likely that we will also allocate some smaller sites for this purpose.
- National Policy requires that 10% of our housing requirement is delivered on sites no larger than one hectare.
The smaller sites that we propose to allocate will be identified in the next stage of consultation, and there will be a further opportunity to comment on their suitability at that stage. However, it would be very useful to hear your comments on sites in or affecting your Parish in the current consultation, to help inform our site selection.
There is a question in the Preferred Options document, towards the end of section 4.1, where you can make comments on specific sites or the results of our assessment of these sites:
https://southwarwickshire.oc2.uk/document/148/4584#d4941
Using our interactive map, you can see which sites remain in consideration by turning on the layer “HELAA part B site assessment as at Preferred Options”. Clicking on a site brings up a pop-up window, where you will find a link to the relevant part of the document to make your comments.
We have recently updated our instructions for using the interactive map which show you how to do this in more detail. Also available is a video which talks you through the key steps.
For more information, please see this poster:
A423 Southam Road Closed 7-8 February
Notice of road closure, A423, Saturday 8 February and Sunday 9 February 2025, 8.30am to 5.30pm.
What are they doing?
EKFB regularly carry out tree inspection on and around our sites. A recent survey has resulted in the need to remove some trees along the side of the highways.
Due to the proximity of the trees and shrubs to the to the road, a full road closure on a section of the A423 near Wills Pasture will be required to carry out this work safely.
A signed diversion will be in place, and the road may be open earlier if the work is complete, and it is safe to do so.
When will these works take place?
Saturday 8 February and Sunday 9 February 2025, 8.30am to 5.30pm.
These dates may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of their control, such as poor weather.
Where will the works take place?
A section of the A423 Banbury Road will be closed between Fenny Compton and Ladbroke, on 8 February and 9 February 2025.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact their HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Avon Dassett Soapbox Derby 2025
The famous and hugely popular Avon Dassett Soapbox Derby returns on Saturday 21 June 2025.
Rules, regulations, and entry forms as well as the stallholders booking form are available NOW here:
Come and join us on the day and watch the soapboxes whizz past at speeds of up to 50mph as the drivers battle to become Champion Of The Hill.
There will be both Seniors and Juniors races throughout the day.
Trophies are up for grabs for our senior winner, junior winner, and best looking karts, while every entrant gets a medal!
A fun day out for all the family raising money for charity.
The Dassett Country Show 2025
SAVE THE DATE!!! SATURDAY 2, AUGUST, 2025 FROM 12:00pm – 4:00pm!
The Country Show committee are very happy to announce that this year their two chosen charities will be:
– Warwickshire Wildlife Trust who do amazing work trying to save nature in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull
– Band of Builders who support UK construction workers and their families who might be facing adversity.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS, WE WANT TO SEE ALL YOUR SMILING, HAPPY FACES ON THE DAY!!
Funding available from the Rural Services Network
A wide range of funding is available for local projects from the Rural Services Network. Please share with local groups.
Compton Chronicle – February 2025
COMPTON CHRONICLE FEBRUARY EDITION
Hello everyone, the February edition of the Compton Chronicle can be found below.
Paper copies will be delivered in the coming days.
For any contributions please note that the closing date for submissions will be 12th February.
– The Chronicle Editorial Team
South Warwickshire Local Plan Consultation
South Warwickshire Local Plan – Public Consultation
Residents are encouraged to respond to the above plan which opened for public consultation on 10 January 2025 and will continue until 7 March 2025.
This is a strategically important plan which sets out the combined aspirations of Stratford and Warwick District Councils until 2050. It is important that the plan receives as much public engagement and feedback as possible.
The plan can be found at:
https:www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/
It comprises three main evidence based documents:
Scoping
Call for Sites
Issues and Options
The main documentation and route for feedback is online but there is information on where to obtain or view hard copies or give feedback by other means.
There are eight distinct categories within the documents, each combining a range of topic areas on which feedback is sought. Examples include Economic Development and Housing. This has been designed so that interested respondents can quickly navigate to their areas of interest, dipping in and out without having to read the complete documentation.
There are 24 strategic land groups but those of particular interest to residents of Avon Dassett are likely to include planned development sites closest to our community including:
SG 13 – Gaydon/ Lighthorne Heath
SG 14 – East of Gaydon
G 1 – Land West of Knightcote
F 3 – Land NE of Knightcote
F 2 – Land South of Deppers Bridge
Detailed maps show all specific sites.
This is likely to be our last chance to influence the development of the Local Plan so please find time to read the documents and respond.
Statement from local councils on the government review of local government
Statement from the Leaders of North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council
On 16 December 2024, the Government published the English Devolution White Paper. This White Paper identifies the Government’s intended approach to the devolution of powers from Westminster to more local “Strategic Authorities.”
The White Paper was clear that to achieve objectives surrounding devolution this will also require Local Government Review. This review would result in the abolition of the remaining two-tier local government across the country and establishing unitary government in their place.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to review the local government structures within our area and in our opinion, we owe it to our residents, communities, businesses and staff to ensure that this be considered properly.
The full statement is here:
NHS Consultation on Community Rehabilitation Wards in South Warwickshire
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) have today launched a public consultation into the future locations of 35 community rehabilitation beds in South Warwickshire following approval from the ICB Board.
The public consultation will run from today, Monday 6th January 2025, to Friday 14th February 2025 and people are being asked to give their views on two potential options for the locations of the community rehabilitation beds.
The two options being consulted on are:
- Option A – Three sites: Distribute all 35 beds across three sites: Ellen Badger Hospital, Shipston, Leamington Spa Hospital, and Stratford Hospital. This would reduce the number of beds currently at Stratford Hospital and Leamington Spa Hospital and return up to 12 beds to the Ellen Badger site
- Option B – Two sites: Provide all 35 beds at two sites, Leamington Spa Hospital and Stratford Hospital. The wards would remain the same current size at Leamington Spa Hospital and Stratford Hospital and there would no longer be any beds at the Ellen Badger site.
People are to participate in the consultation via a survey, by attending a consultation event, or by making a written submission, with more information on each available on the ICB website.
The consultation events will be both in-person and online. There will be 4 of each and the in-person events will be held at venues across South Warwickshire to ensure as many people as possible can attend.
The in-person events will take the form of a drop in exhibition which details the plans and the background to the potential changes. There will also be the opportunity to talk one on one with clinicians and other staff members who will be part of delivering the changes. There will not be specific presentation, so people are welcome to arrive at any point during the allotted time period. The details of the in-person events are:
| Date | Time | Location | Address |
| 17 January 2025 | 09.30 – 11.00 | Leamington | Dale Street Methodist Church, Dale Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 5HL |
| 21 January 2025 | 15.00 – 16.30 | Stratford | Rosebird Community Hall, Shipston Road, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8LU |
| 22 January 2025 | 16.00 – 17.30 | Shipston | Townsend Hall, Sheep Street, Shipston on Stour, CV36 4AE |
| 24 January 2025 | 09.30 – 11.00 | Warwick | Lammas Room, Hill Close Gardens Trust, Bread and Meat Close, Warwick, CV34 6HF |
The online events will consist of a presentation and then a chance to ask questions directly to the presenters. These will be taking place:
- 13 January 2025, 09:00-10:30
- 16 January 2025, 09:00-10:30
- 21 January 2025, 11:00-12:30
- 22 January 2025, 18:30-20:00
People are being asked to register for both the online and in person events if they are planning to attend. The registration links can be found on the consultation events webpage.
The ICB have created a dedicated section on their website with all the information regarding the public consultation, including the consultation document, details on how to participate in the consultation, and a list of frequently asked questions. This can be found at www.happyhealthylives.uk/consultation.