Plan must make Stratford people a priority
HOMES, jobs, transport infrastructure, climate change and most of all people must be the focus of the South Warwickshire Local Plan – a transport group announced this week.
Stratford-upon-Avon Town Transport Group (TTG) has prepared a five-page response to the South Warwickshire Local Plan which it will submit to Stratford and Warwick District Councils before the public consultation process ends on 6th March.
The transport group says that while the consultation includes 106 questions for the public to consider, it is concerned key messages maybe lost which is why it has produced what they describe as a “stand-alone response.”
TTC chairman, Colin Stewart, told the Herald this week:
“Under normal circumstances we would have answered the questions in the consultation but as a stakeholder we looked at the questions in more detail and there are some very specific questions and this is much bigger than just answering questions so we have prepared this submission which will be with the councils before the consultation deadline.”
Despite the consultation launch on 9th January, Mr Stewart understands the number of respondents so far, numbers 550 which is low for such a far-reaching plan which will shape our lives for the next 25 years.
“The importance and scale of this for Stratford is immense, hence the need to raise awareness and encourage consultation responses. It will be essential to plan and deliver transport infrastructure early in the process so that homes, jobs and schools can be matched. Our response addresses these issues in detail. We are not being confrontational we just want to move this plan on and involve the people it will have most impact on which is why it’s so important they have their say,” Mr Stewart said.
Key points to consider in the plan include, homes, jobs, transport and climate. TTG has drawn attention – in its report - to the current transport infrastructure nightmare Stratford endures almost every day of the week and also the public transport woes experienced by the community in Meon Vale as examples
Colin Stewart said: “Lots and lots of new houses but why wasn’t the infrastructure put in place first? These plans need careful consideration so things match up. For example, our working patterns have changed since Covid with many people working from home. So we have to think about the location of housing in relation to employment and if there is overspill from Birmingham and Coventry to Stratford – which is a desirable location to live – has the plan taken into account the analysis of jobs and likely markets for new housing and what if…. Stratford isn’t the right place for more houses after all?”
TTG supports the concept of the 20-minute neighbourhood in terms of providing for residents basic local needs thus reducing the need to travel and enhancing well-being.
In regard to infrastructure, Colin Stewart had this to say: “It is essential that both Warwickshire County Council as the transport authority and Stratford and Warwick District Councils commit to delivering the transport infrastructure at the outset, to avoid the issues that have plagued the Long Marston Garden Village, and to provide a transport framework to support the Local Plan through to 2050.”
The report also comments on roads and cars.
“While the intent to eliminate combustion engines, and deliver climate improvements, will reduce or eliminate these types of vehicles by 2050, it is widely considered that “private” transport will continue to be a significant mode of travel. Future vehicles for people movement could be autonomous, driverless, or on-demand taxi equivalent, which could mean the ageing population which currently are unable to drive, take up this mode. There will also be continued need for freight and delivery to have easy access to and from market. These suggest that access to road-space will continue to be a significant factor in settlement location planning. It is suggested that access to strategic routes for cars and freight should be part of the analysis in determining locations for new or enhanced settlements.”
TTG also supports “a climate resilient and net zero carbon south Warwickshire, a biodiverse and environmentally resilient south Warwickshire which is also beautiful, healthy, safe and inclusive.”
Last year, Stratford and Warwick District Councils announced they are working together to produce a new South Warwickshire Local Plan to cover their combined geographic area.
The new plan has sound policies and bold objectives on where and how new jobs, homes and infrastructure would be delivered but Colin Stewart added a note of caution.
“None of these objectives mention people. The document states that rephrasing has been done to make the vision more people-focussed, but this is not apparent. The TTG believe an additional objective should be added which captures the central requirement for the plan to improve the quality of life for those living and working in south Warwickshire, and that this should be the first objective,” he said.
To view the consultation and to comment on it, visit: www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/issuesandoptions
