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.