University of Warwick Campus, Nr. Wellesbourne

The Wellesbourne University Campus site is located to the northwest of Wellesbourne and has a long history of research relating to agriculture, becoming the Horticultural Research International (HRI) in 1990. In 2004, the University of Warwick became associated with the site and in 2010 the School of Life Sciences was formed following the merger of Warwick HRI and the Department of Biological Sciences. In addition to the School of Life Sciences, the campus is home to some automotive research activity from Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). A small number of businesses also have a presence on the campus. The Campus currently has about 400 people working there.

The University is developing a long-term strategy for the campus; in addition to strengthening existing academic activity at the location, it wishes to develop parts of the site as a new Innovation Campus covering three main sectors, namely: crop science, agri-tech and life sciences; automotive and autonomous vehicles; and medical research.

To help achieve this long-term strategy for the site, in conjunction with Warwick University, the District Council is preparing a Framework Masterplan SPD in relation to the re-development of the Warwick University Innovation Campus.

The SPD is being produced to provide additional guidance on the interpretation and implementation of Core Strategy Policy AS.9, which sets out the principles for considering development proposals and other initiatives relating to the Wellesbourne area.

The Policy ‘hook' for the development of the Wellesbourne Campus is point 6 of sub-section C (Economy) of Policy AS.9, which states SDC will “Support the use of the Horticultural Research International (Warwick University) site for research and development and educational purposes."

The University of Warwick Campus at Wellesbourne is also listed as one of several ‘Specific Site Proposals' (Proposal RURAL.2) within the council's emerging Site Allocations Plan (SAP). RURAL.2 proposes to deliver an “Innovation Campus comprising a facility for advanced research, development and skills" on the northern part of the campus, which equates to the area covered by this SPD.

Consultation Details

The District Council now wish to hold a 6 week public consultation on the Wellesbourne Innovation Campus Framework Masterplan SPD. The consultation will run from Friday 17 February to Friday 31 March 2023. Comments made after this date will not be considered.

The SPD will provide guidance necessary to help co-ordinate the delivery of a high-quality University Campus. The SPD will be used as a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications for development within the Campus site.

The consultation documents can be viewed via the links below:

Supporting Evidence Documents

How to Comment

Privacy Information

Please note that your comments will be published on our Consultation Viewer once we have finished processing all of the responses. Individual respondents' postal addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses will be redacted (blanked out) from the versions published online. Postal addresses of companies are not redacted unless specifically requested, as this information is in the public domain. We are not able to accept anonymous comments. The details of respondents will only be retained by the District Council for the purposes of consulting on Development Plan and supplementary documents and will not be used for any other purpose. See our Privacy Notice for further information.

Do it online

Use our Interactive Document which allows you to comment online. In this version the main section headings and first-level subheadings are in red font. Clicking any of these red headings will open a comment form for that section. When you submit the comments they will automatically be sent through to our consultation system.

Do it by email

By downloading a form and emailing it to policy.consultation@stratford-dc.gov.uk.

Do it by post

Alternatively, forms can be posted to: FREEPOST RTYG-BGXS-ESLZ, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX.

Do it in person

Print off and complete a comment form and hand it in at the District Council offices: Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX

Consultation Events

The Council will also be hosting two drop-in events where Officers will be available to answer questions and provide information face to face at:

  • Wellesbourne University Innovation Campus, Wellesbourne, CV35 9EF on Tuesday 28 February 2023 from 3.00pm to 7.00pm
  • Wellesbourne Library, Kineton Road, Wellesbourne, CV35 9NF on Monday 6 March 2023 from 9.30am to 12.30pm

Find out more

Contact: The Planning Policy team

Last updated on 20/03/2023