Stratford District Core Strategy finally approved

Stratford District Council has formally approved the long-awaited Core Strategy for Stratford on Avon District. 

The planning document, which sets the blueprint for development within the district over the next 15 years, has been in development for some time, with various consultations and amendments required along the way. The adopted strategy will form the starting point for the determination of future planning applications.

District Councillor and Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Chris Saint, said: “Stratford District has reached a key stage in its planning history.  This is what we have been working towards - providing the planning vision for the next 15 years across the District.”

The news is significant for Shipston as it is likely to directly impact the number of major planning applications that are approved by the district council. The Core Strategy states that Shipston should expect to accommodate a minimum of approximately 500 homes during the plan period (to 2031). These have already received planning approval. This number does not include extra care homes, of which 138 have already been approved for Shipston. The town may also be expected to accommodate a small number of additional homes during the later part of the plan period. 

Mayor, Ronnie Murphy, said: “The adoption of the Core Strategy is good news for Shipston. Without this document we have been unable to protect our town from large scale developments. 

“Going forward, this planning policy, together with our own emerging Neighbourhood Plan, should put Shipston in a much stronger position to ensure we get the right type and scale of development in future.”