Planners trying to decide where thousands of houses will be built across South Warwickshire have discounted the idea of spreading them evenly across towns and villages in the region.

As part of the work on the delayed South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP), the district councils have decided not to consider the idea of dispersing the 30,000 new homes evenly across the region.

The idea would have seen each settlement take on a small number of new homes, meaning most of the burden was not placed on one individual town.

Last year Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Council asked for locals to provide feedback on the idea, and four other proposals for how the new homes should be accommodated.

And following feedback, the local authorities have concluded it would not be sustainable or economically viable to force new houses on every small villages across the south of the county.

"At the member advisory group on 18 January 2024, discussions were had regarding the South Warwickshire Local Plan spatial growth options," an update last week said.

"Consideration was given to the consultation feedback as well as the existing evidence on the five growth options presented in the issues and options consultation. 

"The discussion concluded with an agreement that growth option five of the Issues and Options Consultation, the 'dispersed option', would not be taken forward to the next stage of the local plan. 

"This decision was agreed on the basis that the dispersed option would not meet the overarching principles that the local plan is seeking to achieve."

The dispersed option would have seen new homes dotted around the region (image via SWLP website)

The 'dispersed option' was one of five potential strategies for dividing the new developments across the area.

The growth options were: 

1. Rail Corridors 
2. Sustainable Travel 
3. Economic 
4. Sustainable Travel and Economy (hybrid of options 1-3). 
5. Dispersed

Feedback from last year's consultation showed option five was met with the least positive reaction.

"A dispersed strategy would have to take into consideration the infrastructure and facilities available in the chosen location," one piece of public feedback said.

"Many of the villages selected have no public transport, no access to schools, shops and medical or dental services within a 10-minute walk. 

"The existing services are overwhelmed because building has been allowed to go ahead at pace with no regard for how the residents will find school places or medical care."

Last week's update also confirmed a study into the local green belt has been started for the SWLP.

A new timeline for the plan was also agreed last year. Originally supposed to be adopted in 2025, it is now not expected until at least 2027.

More information on the dispersed option can be found here.