Hatton has been shortlisted to become a new settlement in South Warwickshire as the new local plan begins to take its final form.

Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils will this week decide when to launch the final public consultation for the South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP).

The major planning document will govern where tens of thousands of new homes will be built over the next 25 years, and must be submitted the secretary of state before the end of the year to be signed off.

Across the two districts, 14 'strategic growth' locations have been identified, with new houses set to be built around existing local towns.

This has come after hundreds of potential development sites were suggested by members of the public and then whittled down by the councils.

Two 'new settlements' have also been picked for thousands of new homes and new communities to be built.

Hatton has been shortlisted for the new settlement in Warwick district with 4,000 new homes due to be built before 2050, followed by 1,250 after that date.

That is less than the 8,000 homes that had been included in previous council documents relating to a new community in Hatton.

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Meanwhile in Stratford district, Long Marston Airfield has been earmarked for the new settlement, with 4,500 homes planned for before 2050, and 5,700 for after.

The upcoming consultation - the 'regulation 19' consultation - will run for six weeks and will allow locals to have their say on the plan the authorities intend to submit to the planning inspectorate for final approval.

Work began on the SWLP in 2021 but has been hit by various delays.

The councils only have until December 31 to submit the plan for approval.

A council report to be discussed this week said: "The SWLP is required to deliver a significant amount of new development over the period 2025-2050; 54,925 homes to meet local housing needs and up to 366 hectares of employment land to meet local strategic and non-strategic employment needs.

"In addition, the needs of particular groups such as Self and Custom-builders and Gypsies and Travellers are also met through the SWLP."