To read or download please click on link:

download the pdf file.

SOUTH WARWICKSHIRE LOCAL PLAN – RESIDENT UPDATE

Hi everyone,

Several residents have contacted me to ask whether they need to complete the Regulation 19 Representation online form, which is now open.

At this stage, there is no need to rush. The consultation remains open until September, and I will provide a further update before the deadline.

Overall, I believe it is important that the South Warwickshire Local Plan succeeds, as it will help provide Wilmcote with greater protection against inappropriate future development. For that reason, I would encourage residents to support the overall soundness and viability of the Plan. However, there is one significant issue that I do not believe is sound.

The current Plan proposes:

• removing Green Belt protection from within Wilmcote’s built-up boundary and
• designating Wilmcote as a Local Service Centre.

A Local Service Centre is intended to serve surrounding smaller villages with facilities such as a GP surgery, pharmacy, shops or a post office. In my view, this does not accurately reflect Wilmcote. For example, residents of nearby Aston Cantlow are more likely to use the wider range of services available in Henley-in-Arden or Wootton Wawen, which has two shops and a post office.

If Wilmcote remains designated as a Local Service Centre, Policies DS8 and DS13 could make the village more vulnerable to further development, including small-scale housing, Gypsy and Traveller sites, mobile home parks, or employment-use buildings.

In my role as District Councillor I am currently working to have Wilmcote removed from these policies. If I am successful, residents should then be able to support the Plan without raising this concern.

If I am not successful, I will ask residents to include a comment in the Policies section of the consultation form, explaining that these policies are unsound as they relate to Wilmcote.

I am waiting to meet with the Chief Planning Officer at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, who is currently on annual leave. Once that meeting has taken place, I will update everyone with the outcome and advise on the best way to respond before the consultation closes.

Thank you for your continued support and patience.

Cllr Lee - Stratford District Council - 22nd July 2026

YOU CAN VIEW SDC FULL COVERAGE BY CLICKING ON - The Online View July 2026

Mobile Library Continues to Visit Wilmcote

Residents of Wilmcote are reminded that the Warwickshire Mobile Library continues to visit the village on a regular basis, providing convenient access to a wide range of library services right on your doorstep.

The Mobile Library visits Woodcote Park and offers a welcoming and accessible service for all ages. Whether you enjoy fiction, biographies, large-print books, audiobooks, or children's stories, there is something for everyone on board.

Upcoming Visits

Location: Woodcote Park, Wilmcote
Time: 3:00pm – 3:20pm

2026 Dates

• 9 July
• 6 August
• 3 September
• 1 October
• 29 October
• 26 November
• 24 December

What Does the Mobile Library Offer?

Visitors can browse and borrow:

• A wide selection of books
• Large-print titles
• Spoken word and audiobooks
• Children's books and reading materials

The service is particularly valuable for residents who may find it difficult to travel to a larger library and provides an excellent opportunity to discover new books, meet fellow readers and support lifelong learning within the community.

Whether you are a regular reader or simply looking for something new, why not call in and see what the Mobile Library has to offer?

For further information about the Mobile Library service and routes, please visit the Warwickshire County Council website:

Warwickshire Mobile Libraries

Wilmcote Parish Council is pleased to support and promote services that help keep our community connected, informed and engaged. We encourage residents to make use of this valuable resource. 📚🚐

Our Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan is due for an update, and we're looking for local residents who would like to play a part in shaping the future of our community.

An updated Neighbourhood Plan will provide valuable protection and help ensure that future development reflects the needs and wishes of local people.

We are seeking up to three residents to join a small working group alongside Parish Councillors. You don't need to be a planning expert, although experience in planning would be most welcome. Strong writing, research, organisational, or communication skills would also be valuable. 

This is an opportunity to have a real influence on the future of Wilmcote and Pathlow and help protect the character and heritage of Wilmcote and Pathlow for generations to come.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact the Clerk at . We hope to hold our first daytime meeting in early August.

We look forward to hearing from you.,

Regards,

Cllr Lee - Chair Wilmcote PC

Dear Residents,

I hope you are all enjoying the recent spell of sunshine and making the most of the summer weather.

Parish Council Administration

Some of you may have noticed that the June Parish Council meeting was cancelled. Unfortunately, our Clerk, who was serving a probationary period, decided that the role was more complex than she had anticipated and chose to step down.

I am delighted to share that Ray Evans, a highly experienced Clerk, has rejoined us. Ray worked with the Parish Council briefly in February but had to leave due to unforeseen circumstances. Those issues have now been resolved, and he resumed his role on 16 June 2026. We are very pleased to welcome him back and look forward to working with him once again.

Village Planters

At long last, our beautiful new planters have arrived and are already brightening up both The Green and the verge opposite Mary Arden’s Farm. They look magnificent.

A huge thank you goes to Pat and Alan Kingsland, who joined me in selecting the plants, helping to create the displays, and now overseeing their ongoing care and watering. I would also like to thank Martyn Hunt, who has kindly taken responsibility for watering the planter on The Green.

If the displays continue to thrive, we hope to purchase two additional planters next year for Aston Cantlow Road and Billesley Road.

Land Transfer Negotiations

Negotiations regarding the purchase of the land continue. Stratford District Council is currently in the process of appointing a solicitor with experience in transfers between public authorities at a nominal fee. We are hopeful that this will help move matters forward more quickly, and I will continue to keep you updated on progress.

District Council By-Election

Some of you may have heard that I am standing as a candidate in the forthcoming Kinwarton Ward District Council by-election, following the resignation of Thom Holmes. The election will take place on 9th July 2026.

While this is not the appropriate forum for election campaigning, I wanted to reassure residents that, should I be fortunate enough to be elected, I would remain Chairwoman of the Parish Council. Holding both positions would not present a conflict of interest, and I would continue to serve the village with the same commitment and dedication.

Traffic Management

I am sure many of you have noticed the increasing volume of traffic and instances of inconsiderate parking within the village. Like many residents, I share your concerns.

To address these issues, I have written to the Director of Highways at Warwickshire County Council requesting a meeting to explore potential solutions. Topics I hope to discuss include:

• A possible weight restriction on the Station Road bridge to protect this already fragile structure from heavy vehicles.
• Reduced speed limits on Featherbed Lane, Station Road, and Church Road.
• Other measures that could improve road safety and reduce traffic impacts within the village.

If you have suggestions that you would like me to raise during these discussions, please do get in touch.

South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) Update

Many of you will already be aware that the BW site is no longer being considered as the location for a large new settlement. This is a significant achievement, and I would like to thank everyone who supported me and participated in the campaign. Our collective efforts have made a real difference.

Stratford District Council has publicly identified Long Marston as its preferred location for a large settlement, together with a proposed relief road to accommodate the increased traffic generated by the development. A formal vote on this proposal will be taken by both Stratford and Warwick District Councils on 15 July 2026.

However, there are still matters that require our close attention.

Within the recently published 700-page consultation document, I identified two proposed policies DS8 and DS13, which directly affect Wilmcote. The Parish Council had not been informed of these proposals, and they could easily have gone unnoticed.

The policies propose removing Green Belt designation from land within the village’s Built-Up Boundary (BuB). This would mean the loss of Green Belt protections and the planning safeguards currently provided through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). In practical terms, it could make further development on available green spaces within the BuB significantly easier.

I have already met with the Leader of Stratford District Council, Susan Juned, to express my concerns and have requested a further meeting with planning officers. We must remain vigilant, and I can assure you that I will continue to monitor developments closely and challenge proposals that could negatively impact our village.

Upcoming Meetings

The next Parish Council meeting will take place on:

Wednesday 15 July 2026
7:00pm
Wilmcote Village Hall

Please note that the Parish Council does not meet during August.

Finally…

As we head into the summer months, I would like to thank everyone who continues to contribute to village life, whether through volunteering, attending meetings, sharing ideas, or simply looking out for our community.

I wish you all a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing many of you around the village.

Kind regards,

Janine Lee
Chairwoman, Wilmcote Parish Council

The Wilmcote Parish Council Annual Assembly was held on 20 April 2026. The Chairwoman's report is attached below.

Annual Assembly Chairwoman's Report

The April 2026 edition of the Stratford District Council Newsletter is now published on their website. It includes information about election dates, health screening and Community Grant Scheme awards. It also has links to SDC Cabinet decisons from the meeting of 13 April, and planning updates.  Finally, there are two public consultations you can engage with, and the council has several vacancies it is recruiting for over the next few weeks.

The newsletter is available here

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is promoting Prostate, Cholesterol and Diabetes Health Testing for Men & Women

The events will run from 10am until 2pm at each of the locations and residents are able to book at a discounted rate of £14 for each test. (subsidised by Stratford-on-Avon District Council)
Saturday 21 March at Venture House, Avenue Farm Industrial Estate, Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0HR
Saturday 18 April at Lighthorne Heath Village Hall, Valiant Close, CV33 9UF
Saturday 9 May at Graham Adams Centre, St James Road, Southam, CV47 0LY
Saturday 30 May at Wellesbourne Village Hall, School Road, CV35 9NH
Saturday 20 June at Shipston Scout Hut, New Street, CV36 4EW
Saturday 18 July at the Greig Hall, Kinwarton Road, Alcester, B49 6AD
Saturday 19 September at Studley Village Hall, High Street, B80 7HJ
Saturday 17 October at Stratford Leisure Centre, Bridgeway, CV37 6YX
Saturday 7 November at Henley-in-Arden Memorial Hall, Station Road, B95 5JP

Spaces are limited and need to be booked in advance at:
https://sdc.mypsatests.org.uk/

You can download the PDF and scan the QR code here: PSA_Tests_2026_all_dates.pdf

PRESS RELEASE

Issued by: Bearley Wilmcote Action Group (BWAG) Contact: Janine Lee – | 07816 105204 Date: 23rd February 2026

International Shakespeare Scholar Warns of Irreversible Damage to the Countryside that Inspired the World’s Greatest Writer

An eminent American academic has added her voice to the growing opposition against plans to build up to 10,000 houses and associated industrial infrastructure between Stratford-upon-Avon and Wilmcote/Bearley.

Professor Katherine Scheil - author of Imagining Shakespeare’s Wife: The Afterlife of Anne Hathaway and Associate Dean at the University of Minnesota - has issued a powerful statement condemning the proposed BW development as a threat, not merely to local green fields, but to a landscape of global cultural significance.

After learning of the proposals from Wilmcote resident, Professor Ewan Fernie of the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford upon Avon, Professor Scheil wrote a deeply moving letter in support of the Bearley Wilmcote Action Group (BWAG).

Her words are a sobering reminder that what is at stake is not just housing numbers - but the preservation of a landscape that continues to inspire people from around the world.

Professor Scheil leads annual study tours bringing American students to Stratford- upon-Avon. While they visit iconic landmarks in London, she explains that the most transformative experience for her students is not found in a city museum or theatre. It is found in the quiet walk from Stratford through Shottery and into the countryside around Wilmcote - countryside that remains largely unchanged from the world Shakespeare himself knew. There, she says, her students do not simply learn about Shakespeare - they find him.

They discover the rural landscape that shaped his imagination, the fields that surrounded his mother’s family home at Mary Arden’s Farm, and the environment that nurtured the poetry and plays that have influenced centuries of global culture. Her students return to America with a profound appreciation of what she describes as the ‘soul of England’ - a character rooted in the very countryside now threatened by large-scale development.

Professor Scheil reminds us that this landscape has long stirred visitors from across the world. As early as 1918, an American educator wrote that she came to Stratford ‘to find Shakespeare,’ but instead found ‘the soul of England.’ In the nineteenth century, visitors such as William Howitt and Harriet Beecher Stowe feared that modern progress might one day destroy this fragile inheritance. Thankfully, their fears did not materialise.

Today, however, that danger feels real.

Professor Scheil warns that constructing a modern settlement of this scale would permanently sever the living connection between landscape and literature. She likens the proposal to P.T. Barnum’s 1847 attempt to dismantle Shakespeare’s Birthplace and transport it to America as a commercial attraction - a scheme rejected at the time as cultural vandalism. She argues that today we face a similarly short-sighted threat, albeit in a different form.

Particularly concerning, she notes, is the potential impact on the rural setting of Mary Arden’s Farm in Wilmcote - a site of immense historical and symbolic importance. Increased traffic, urban sprawl, flood risk, paved pathways and industrial infrastructure would erode the integrity of the landscape that allows visitors to imagine the lives of the women who shaped Shakespeare’s early world.

Once lost, that authenticity cannot be recreated. Professor Scheil concludes with a stark truth: once this rural character is sacrificed, it is gone forever. Bearley Wilmcote Action Group believes this international intervention should give decision- makers time to reflect. When scholars from across the Atlantic recognise the global importance of this countryside, it raises a fundamental question: if the world understands its value, why are we prepared to erase it?

This is not opposition to housing in principle. It is opposition to an ill-conceived development of unprecedented scale in a location of extraordinary heritage sensitivity. There are alternatives. What there is not, however, is a second Shakespearean landscape waiting to replace the one we would lose.

BWAG urges local councillors and planning authorities to reflect carefully before endorsing proposals that would irreversibly damage the countryside that inspired the world’s greatest playwright.

The world is watching.

And future generations will judge the choices we make today.

You can read the full text of Professor Schiel's letter here: 

Prof_Sheils_Letter.pdf

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 25th February 2026

Issued by: Janine Lee, Chair, Wilmcote Parish Council Contact:

Manuela Perteghella Addresses Wilmcote Parish Council on Bearley/Wilmcote Proposal, Planning Reforms and Local Government Re- organisation.

Manuela Perteghella, Member of Parliament for Stratford-upon-Avon, attended the Wilmcote Parish Council meeting on 18 February 2026 to speak with residents about the proposed Bearley/Wilmcote site option within the South Warwickshire Local Plan and forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation.

The Parish Council was pleased to welcome the MP to a meeting attended by approximately 100 parishioners. During a 40-minute address, she outlined her concerns regarding the proposal to deliver up to 10,000 homes on land between Bearley and Wilmcote - a development that would effectively merge the two villages and extend to within 250 metres of the Bishopton roundabout in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Ms Perteghella emphasised that while development aligned with genuinely sustainable infrastructure can be appropriate, she is concerned about proposals that may place disproportionate pressure on rural railway stations within the Green Belt. She warned that such an approach risks overlooking the constraints of rural communities and could lead to the coalescence of distinct settlements in this case, Bearley and Wilmcote.

She stated that Wilmcote should not be treated as a major urban transport hub simply because it has a railway station. She highlighted several significant local constraints, including the single-track railway line, limited station facilities, absence of car parking, lack of step-free disabled access, limited funding for upgrades, constrained road infrastructure, Green Belt sensitivity and flood risk.

The MP also urged residents and the Parish Council to respond to the Government’s latest consultation on proposed amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), particularly proposals that could designate communities with railway stations as “default” locations forsubstantial housing growth. She drew attention to the following consultation sections:

• S5: Principle of development outside settlements
• L3: Achieving appropriate densities
• GB7: Development which is not inappropriate in the Green Belt

She stressed the importance of submitting objections to the proposed changes. The Chair has circulated guidance to assist residents in preparing responses via the BWAG WhatsApp group and the Parish Council website.

Ms Perteghella further expressed concern about proposals that may reduce the role of statutory consultees and specialist input in planning decisions, particularly in relation to flooding, ecology, heritage and infrastructure capacity.

When asked directly by the Chair whether she supported the campaign opposing the proposed development, Ms Perteghella confirmed that she did.

Our MP also explained Local Government Re-organisation and confirmed her preference for two unitary authorities (North and South Warwickshire. She encouraged parishioners to make their views known on the on-line consultation,

Support for the Bearley Wilmcote Action Group has also been reiterated by Thom Holmes, who in his January report to the Parish Council stated that he continues to oppose the Bearley-Wilmcote proposal and will maintain pressure as the Local Plan progresses.

Councillor Holmes has consistently raised the following concerns:

1. Key infrastructure would be delivered too late, risking a repeat of past situations where homes were occupied before infrastructure was in place.
2. The road network around northern Stratford is unable to accommodate additional large-scale development.
3. The proposal would result in the loss of Green Belt land and the merging of Bearley, Wilmcote and Stratford-upon-Avon.
4. Local evidence demonstrates regular flooding, particularly along Salters Lane, which could be exacerbated by major development.
5. Significant challenges exist in delivering new schools and reorganising education catchments in this location.
6. The proposal is divided into two disconnected parcels, raising concerns about deliverability.
7. The cumulative impact alongside any further northern Stratford growth would be unacceptable.

For these planning reasons, Councillor Holmes has stated that he does not believe Bearley and Wilmcote should be taken forward as a preferred settlement and will continue to argue strongly against the proposal.

Wilmcote Parish Council remains committed to representing the interests of parishioners and ensuring that local voices are clearly heard throughout the Local Plan process.

Right to left: Councillor Mike Seher, Chairwoman Janine Lee, Manuela Perteghella MP for Stratford upon Avon, Vice Chair Sarah Hession and at the rear Councillor Gavin Stewart.

The diversion route can be downloaded here:

A46_Closure_Stratford_-_Montel_-_Letter_to_Stakeholders_12.02.26_Page_2.pdf

Wilmcote C of E Primary School has a vacancy for a governor.  Further information is available from . You can also visit the school website and read about our governors here https://www.wilmcoteprimary.org.uk/about-us/governors

Governor-Advert.pdf

NOTICE OF VACANCY IN OFFICE  OF COUNCILLOR

Parish of Wilmcote

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish of Wilmcote.

If by 16 February 2026 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for

an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below

by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy

will be filled by co-option.

If an election is called, it will take place no later than 22 April 2026.

Dated 27th January 2026

David Buckland

Returning Officer

Elizabeth House

Church Street

Stratford-upon-Avon

CV37 6HX

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is committed to improving the delivery of our planning enforcement services and is currently holding a 6-week consultation on a new Local Enforcement Plan (LEP) and we would like your views.

The LEP is central to the District Council’s commitment to maintaining high performance and prioritising cases involving the most serious breaches of planning control.

The draft LEP has been updated following a workshop with District Councillors. It now provides clearer prioritisation of enforcement cases and guidance on when investigations will not proceed (e.g. insufficient evidence, breaches outside defined categories, or no planning harm demonstrated).

Have Your Say
The plan is now out for consultation, and we invite your feedback.  Read the document here  and use the link below to submit your feedback.

Please submit your comments here: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/localenforcement 
Deadline: 12noon on 4 March 2026

After the consultation closes, all responses will be reviewed, and any necessary revisions will be made before the final version is adopted.

For more information please visit: www.stratford.gov.uk/enforcement-consultation

Kind regards

Sue Greenall

Parish & Town Council Liaison Officer

Email: 

Mobile: 07756 504782

Tel: 01789 260948

Web www.stratford.gov.uk

Wilmcote Parish Council

Vacancy: Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) Part-time – 12 hours per week

Salary: To be confirmed – in line with NJC (National Joint Council) scales and dependent on experience. Salary range: £14.59 - £17.18 per hour

Wilmcote is a vibrant and proactive village community of just under 1,000 residents, located two miles north of Stratford-upon-Avon. Due to retirement, we are seeking an organised, motivated, and community-minded individual to take on the role of Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer.

This is a key leadership and governance position within the Parish Council - ideal for someone who is committed to supporting local democracy, ensuring legal compliance, managing public resources responsibly, and helping our community thrive.

About the Role

The Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer is the Council’s senior administrative and financial officer. As the Council’s Proper Officer and Section 151 Officer, you will ensure that all statutory, legal, and regulatory responsibilities are met. You will support Councillors, provide professional advice, and manage the Council’s operations, finances, assets, and staff.

The role involves some evening work for council meetings and may include occasional training or external engagement events.

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance, Legal & Procedural Duties

• Act as the Council’s Proper Officer, ensuring all statutory functions, notifications, and requirements are fulfilled in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Ensure the Council complies with local government law, Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.
• Prepare agendas and minutes in line with legal requirements and ensure lawful and effective decision-making.
• Provide professional advice to the Council and Chair on legal issues, policy matters, procedures, planning, local government legislation, and best practice.
• Arrange, attend, and clerk meetings of the Council, Committees, Sub- Committees and Working Groups.
• Manage statutory consultations, notices, elections, and the publication of documents such as the Annual Report.

2.  Financial Management (Responsible Financial Officer Duties)

As the Council’s Section 151 Officer, you will:

• Oversee and implement all financial procedures, systems, controls, and reporting in accordance with statutory requirements and proper practices.
• Prepare the annual budget, financial forecasts, and the Precept request.
• Monitor expenditure and income, providing regular financial statements to Council.

• Ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements.

• Manage payroll, pensions, PAYE, VAT returns, financial risk assessments, asset registers, and insurance obligations.

• Issue invoices, receipts, and ensure timely payment of accounts.

• Ensure secure financial IT systems and appropriate internal controls.

• Advise the Council on financial strategy, reserves, investments, grant funding and opportunities to maximise income.

3.  Administrative, Managerial & Operational Duties

•  Manage the Council’s staff, including recruitment, appraisals, performance monitoring, and HR procedures. (There are currently no other paid employees, so this does not apply at the moment).

• Oversee Council services, buildings, land, and assets either directly or through contractors and partnerships.

• Maintain effective correspondence, records, project documentation, and policy documents.

• Lead or support Council projects, liaising with external partners, contractors, and community groups.

• Maintain and update the Council’s website and support community communications.

4.  Community, Engagement & Partnership Working

•  Act as the Council’s representative at meetings with other authorities, agencies, and community groups.

• Promote positive public relations, including preparation of press releases and community updates. 

• Support Councillors with information, research, and policy development.

• Engage with residents, responding to enquiries professionally and courteously.

5.  Professional Development

• Attend training, seminars, and briefings relevant to the role.

• Obtain or hold the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) or be willing to work toward it.

• Maintain professional knowledge, ideally through membership of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised, accurate, and reliable.
• An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Confident in financial management and administrative proecdures.
• Able to work independently and take initiative.
• Comfortable advising on legal and procedural matters (training provided where needed).
• Experienced in local government, finance, administration, or management (desirable but not essential – training will be provided).

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to:

Janine Lee, Chairwoman – email: and cc: and

Deadline: 16^h January 2026

Note:

Section 151 Officer – the role carries a statutory duty mandated in law. The Parish Council Responsible Financial Officer (RF0) is responsible for ensuring all financial dealings are managed correctly. The individual must be a qualified member of a recognised accountancy body, and ensure that compliance with all statutory accounting, internal and external audit requirements are met.

You can download the job description for printing here: Final_Draft_-Clerk_advert.pdf