What is the Core Strategy?

The Core Strategy sets out our development strategy and planning policies. These policies include the allocation of strategic employment and housing sites, along with guidance on provision on infrastructure and services. The Core Strategy establishes the overall spatial vision for Stratford-on-Avon District up to 2031 and establishes the framework that our other planning documents will build upon. We adopted the Core Strategy on 11 July 2016.

In January 2021 the Council commenced a review of its Core Strategy, working with Warwick District Council to prepare a South Warwickshire Local Plan.

Adopted Core Strategy

Core Strategy Review Assessment

As required, the Council has undertaken an assessment of whether its Adopted Core Strategy remains up-to-date. This assessment is required at least every five years from the date of adoption i.e. 16th July 2016. The Assessment has been undertaken in two parts and was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 19th April 2021.

The assessment concludes that the Core Strategy remains up-to-date. Notwithstanding this, the Council has already committed to undertaking a review and is working with Warwick District Council on the South Warwickshire Local Plan.

Policy CS.18 Affordable Housing Threshold Position Statement

In July 2018 the Government published a revised version of its National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (subsequently amended in February 2019) setting out a new national threshold for the provision of affordable housing.

To assist with clarity and for the avoidance of doubt, the Council produced a Position Statement in September 2019 in respect of the requirement for affordable housing under Core Strategy Policy CS.18.

Change in LSV Categorisation of Ladbroke

In accordance with Policy CS.15, the Council has re-assessed the local service village categorisation of Ladbroke. As such, Ladbroke now falls under Part F of Policy CS.15 and is designated as ‘all other settlements'. View the Portfolio Holder decision to find out more about the background and reasons for this change.

Self-build and Custom Housebuilding

The Council has published an Information Sheet regarding its interim approach to Self-build and Custom housebuilding sites across the District.

Policies Map

The Policies Map illustrates geographically the application of the policies in the Development Plan for Stratford-on-Avon District. You can purchase a copy of the Policies Map.

Site Allocations Plan

The Council is preparing a Site Allocations Plan (SAP) to sit alongside the adopted Core Strategy. It will contain a number of additional policy proposals as well as identifying sites for potential future development, including reserve housing sites and self-build housing sites.

Two site proposals in the Core Strategy are proposed to be revised in the SAP, namely Proposal SUA.2 South of Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Proposal SUA.4 Atherstone Airfield.

The SAP also identifies Built-Up Area Boundaries (BUABs) for a range of settlements. These BUABs replace the ones previously published as informal guidance.

Supplementary Planning Documents

The Council has prepared a number of supplementary planning documents (SPDs) that provide additional advice and guidance on the policies in the Core Strategy.

Neighbourhood Development Plans

There are a number of neighbourhood plans that also sit alongside the Core Strategy. Neighbourhood plans set out local planning policies for particular parishes.

Preparing the Core Strategy

The Core Strategy underwent a number of revisions prior to being adopted in July 2016. For reference purposes, we have created an archive page containing previously published versions of the Core Strategy and associated documents. This page also includes the documents that accompanied the adoption of the Core Strategy in July 2016.

Find out more

For further information: please contact the Planning Policy team on 01789 260334 or email planning.policy@stratford-dc.gov.uk.

This page can be accessed quickly using the short link www.stratford.gov.uk/corestrategy

Contact: The Planning Policy team

Last updated on 23/04/2021