There will be a meeting for residents of Bearley, Wilmcote & Pathlow in Bearley on 11 October to discuss the latest update to the South Warwickshire Local Plan. Check back here for full details shortly.
“NO MEANS no” say campaigners after a proposed new town of some 6,700 homes near Stratford overwhelmingly proved the most unpopular in a public consultation.
The Wilmcote Action Group are staunchly opposed to the “massive” development earmarked for land between Wilmcote, Pathlow and Bearley, which is one of several potential options laid out in the South Warwickshire Local Plan, being drawn up by both Stratford and Warwick district councils, to increase housing in the area.
The proposed development would span some 329 hectares of green belt land – the size of some 460 football pitches – and include 6,762 homes for some 16,000 potential residents. It would also require a new secondary school and up to four new primary schools as all nearby schools are at capacity.
And they are not alone in their opposition.
Out of all the 3,796 respondents to a consultation on the South Warwickshire Local Plan, the proposal to “shoehorn” new homes on green belt land between Wilmcote and Bearley attracted the most opponents.
Campaigners against the so-called ‘BW New Town’ claim this shows their campaign is the strongest of all the 12 proposed sites across south Warwickshire.
A total of 1.064 people voted against the Bearley, Wilmcote development.
Hatton followed with 672 votes against, followed by a proposed development in Long Marston with 360 votes.
Residents say the plan would tear up precious green belt land, destroy the rural setting of Mary Arden’s historic home, and swamp the A3400 – Stratford’s northern gateway – with traffic chaos amounting to an extra 10,000 vehicles per day. The scale of the scheme would strain local infrastructure beyond breaking point.
As a result, campaigners are stepping up the fight with a new wave of protest roadside signs across the area and on Saturday (August 23), villagers rallied outside Mary Arden’s House for a demonstration with banners to show they are determined not to allow this ‘developer-led, ill-conceived sprawl’ to wipe away centuries of Warwickshire heritage and destroy wildlife and biodiversity.
A SDC spokesperson said that not all of these locations will ultimately be needed to meet the area’s needs and the councils would be undertaking further analysis to conclude which locations should form part of south Warwickshire’s growth strategy.
This includes feedback from the recent public consultation exercise.
Visit www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp for further details.
BT no longer owns the red telephone box on the Green and the telephone equipment has been removed. The kiosk is now owned and maintained by the parish council. We will have more news about plans for it in the near future, so check back soon!
Warwickshire residents, businesses, Town and Parish Councils, voluntary and community groups are being invited to help shape the future of local councils in the county in a public engagement exercise.
Under Government proposals for local government reorganisation, all six councils in Warwickshire will disappear by 1 April 2028. More information can be found on the options for reorganisation and what the changes mean to you in an engagement booklet .
You are invited to share your views in our questionnaire which is available from 7 August to 14 September.
Councillors will use this information to help them to make their final decision. It is being run by Opinion Research Services (ORS) online at www.shapingourcouncils.co.uk
For Stratford-on-Avon District residents, copies will be available from Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX.
No decisions have been made yet. This is your opportunity to shape the future of local government in Warwickshire. Whether you support the current proposal or have other ideas, your voice matters.
To complete the questionnaire online, visit: https://shapingourcouncils.co.uk/get-involved/
Please come and support Wilmcote/Pathlow/Bearley's campaign against the 6700 houses. Join the photo call at 10 am on Saturday, 23rd August 2025 outside Mary Arden's Farm. Please walk if possible as parking will be limited due to Mary Arden's Farm being open from 11 am..
The full press release is here:
Open the document GUIDANCE FOR IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR SUBMISSION ON THE SWLP ONLINE FORM
24th February 2pm – 6pm The Mary Arden Inn
PETITION AGAINST THE SWLP PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AT WILMCOTE
Wilmcote Village Hall 08.02.2025
The attached file shows the presentation that was made on 8th February.
Meeting in Wilmcote Village Hall 8th February
6,700 new homes proposed
Help lead Wilmcote and Pathlow’s response
Come to the village meeting, Saturday 8th February
Land in and near our two villages has been identified as a suitable site for over 6,700 houses as part of South Warwickshire Local Plan.
Wilmcote Parish Council will consider applications for grants from voluntary groups, community organisations, charitable and other organisations carrying out community activities.
Further Information: Grant Fund Application Form
The draft 2023 – 2027 Council Plan is now out for consultation and residents and businesses are invited to complete the online questionnaire:
https://online1.snapsurveys.com/councilplan.
