This article was first published in January 2025 but has been updated and republished following the latest updates to the South Warwickshire Local Plan.

A major planning document which will decide where tens of thousands of new homes are built across South Warwickshire is nearing its latter stages.

Local residents have been given the chance to comment on the South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) at various points, with the results of the most recent consultation being published a few weeks ago.

Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils had already said the plan will see new homes allocated around existing towns in what are called 'strategic growth locations'.

Twenty-four of these have been shortlisted but not all are expected to be needed.

Locals have been told a 'new settlement' is likely to be created in the SWLP around an existing village or villages.

The councils previously outlined a shortlist of 12 options for new settlements, but has recently added a 13th to the list.

The SWLP website shows two huge parcels of land around the village of Danzey and its station have been suggested for where the houses would be built. 

One of the plots - promoted by land agents Sworders and Montagu Evans - covers 298.51 hectares of farmland.

The second covers a further 298.51 hectares and was suggested by the same firms.

An update from the SWLP team said: "The SWLP team continues to work on refining sites for the overall growth strategy for the South Warwickshire Local Plan. 

"A small number of additional site submissions and boundary amendments have been received since the preferred options stage and have now been published on the SWLP interactive map.

"Included in this batch of sites is a potential new settlement location east of Danzey rail station. 

"This is comprised of two additional sites (ref ID 963 and 980) which can be viewed online." 

Public documents detailing the original proposed 12 new settlements have already started to rank them, according to how suitable the councils currently think they are.

Four of those 12 are considered the most suitable.

We have taken a quick look at the potential locations and what the SWLP reports have said about them.

See the full report here.

Land at Hatton 

• Suitability: More Suitable 
• Size: 403 hectares
• Capacity: 8,156 homes
• District: Warwick
• Green belt: Yes
• Land ownership: More than 10 owners

Some 403 hectares of land in Hatton could be developed into a new settlement if the area is chosen.

These developments - which would mostly be in the green belt - would necessitate a new secondary school and up to six new primary schools to be built.

The council's reports also state the fact land in Hatton is already being actively promoted for development is a major plus for choosing the village.

Residents have already voiced their serious opposition to the proposal for 4,500 houses to be built on land owned by the Arkwright Family around Hatton Station.

The rail connections to the village are also seen as a benefit.

Land at Long Marston Airfield

• Suitability: More Suitable 
• Size: 579 hectares
• Capacity: 9,850 homes
• District: Stratford
• Green belt: No
• Land ownership: 'Numerous'

Development could start here in 2032 - five years earlier than most of the other sites suggested.

However, the report does say employment opportunities would be needed given the distance from other local areas.

Houses are already suggested for this area, but adding more would require another three primary schools and secondary school to be built.

The summary says: "Sufficient land being promoted to assist deliverability, however key transport constraints."

Land east of Leamington Spa and Whitnash

• Suitability: More Suitable 
• Size: 324 hectares
• Capacity: 6,480 homes
• District: Both
• Green belt: No
• Land ownership: More than 10 parties

Almost half the land in the parcel was put forward in the call for sites, suggesting there is appetite for it to be developed.

There is concern for the close proximity to other urban areas, and there are questions about the availability of employment land here.

Land at Bearley and Wilmcote

• Suitability: More Suitable
• Size: 329 hectares
• Capacity: 6,762
• District: Stratford
• Green belt: Yes
• Land ownership: Fewest owners

Employment provision could be brought forward on land which is accessible to the A46 at Bishopston Hill. 

The site would need a new secondary school as there is no capacity to expand the nearby secondary schools.

All of the land was promoted for development through the 'call for sites' consultation.

Further transport analysis is needed.

Land south of Tanworth-in-Arden 

• Suitability: Less Suitable 
• Size: 486 hectares
• Capacity: 9,720 homes
• District: Stratford
• Green belt: Yes
• Land ownership: More than 10 owners

The site would require up to two new secondary schools and seven primary schools.

The councils said there is a "strong concern" for its viability given only one per cent of the land was suggested for development in the call for sites.

Land east of Wood End

• Suitability: Less Suitable 
• Size: 293 hectares
• Capacity: 5,860 homes
• District: Stratford
• Green belt: Yes
• Land ownership: More than 10 owners

Only 15 per cent of the land was suggested for new housing during the first consultation, meaning "deliverability" of new homes here is "questionable".

A new secondary school and up to four new primary schools would be needed.

Land south of Kingswood

• Suitability: Less Suitable
• Size: 248 hectares
• Capacity: 4,960 houses
• District: Warwick
• Green belt: Yes
• Land ownership: More than 10 owners

The report said: "The site is unlikely to be attractive as a site for strategic employment due to the poor…connectivity. 

"It is likely to support only a small quantum of employment for local need given its location set away from other centres." 

None of the land was suggested for development.

Land West of Ufton

• Suitability: Less Suitable 
• Size: 336 hectares
• Capacity: 6,720 homes
• District: Stratford
• Green belt: No
• Land ownership: Numerous

The report says: "The site's location and accessibility make delivery of substantive new employment space at this location more challenging. 

"Potential employment provision below benchmark levels for development scale."

Land south of Deppers Bridge

• Suitability: Less Suitable 
• Size: 242 hectares
• Capacity: 4,840 homes
• District: Stratford
• Land ownership: Numerous

The report said: "Strong concern re. lack of promoter given zero per cent land put forward in 'Call for Sites' thus deliverability is questionable."

Land north-east of Knightcote

• Suitability: Less Suitable 
• Size: 340 hectares
• Capacity: 6,800
• District: Stratford
• Green belt: No
• Land ownership: Fewer owners

"Current access to J12 M40 currently relies on a network of predominantly 'C' roads which are likely unsuitable for HGV traffic," the report says. 

"Potential employment provision lower than benchmark levels for development scale."

Land to the west of Knightcote

• Suitability: Less Suitable 
• Size: 268 hectares
• Capacity: 5,360 houses
• District: Stratford
• Land ownership: Fewer owners
• Green belt: No

Also little appetite for development with none of the land suggested for new houses during consultation.

Land south of Leamington Spa/north of Wellesbourne

• Size: 327 hectares
• Capacity: 6,520 homes
• District: Warwick
• Green belt: No
• Land ownership: More than 10 parties

The report explained: "Substantial employment could be delivered at broad location focussed towards the northern end of site. 

"Employment provision potentially well above the benchmark levels for development scale."

More schools would also be needed here.

The site was designated the most sustainable of the 12.

See the full report here.