Have your say
The Preferred Options Consultation ended on 7th March 2025 and you can no longer submit objections.
There are 3 ways to make your voice heard
1. Online portal
You are being asked to comment on an enormous amount of information and the online consultation portal and paper response forms look daunting but you don't have to read the entire document or comment on every point. Most residents will just want to make an objection to the Hatton settlement (B1) and the Stanks Island strategic growth area (SG07) being selected.
We have prepared a step by step guide to using the consultation portal to make comments on B1 and SG07:
2. Comment Form
The Council would prefer you to use the portal but not everyone will be able to do this. There is therefore also a form which can either be completed:
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on a computer and then emailed, or
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printed and handwritten and then posted.
However, it is not obvious how to use it. It is designed to allow you to comment on mutiple policies and sites by making multiple copies of one particular page but you probably just want to comment that B1 and SG07 are a bad idea. We have therefore prepared a simplified version by taking out the pages you don't need and we have completed the headings of the pages you do need.
In our tailored version, you have:
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Page 1 - your personal details - comments cannot be submitted anonymously
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Page 2 - details of where to send your objection. Ignore the instructions at the top of the page
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Page 3 - a space to set out your objections to B1
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Page 4 - a space to set out your objections to SG07
Two versions of the form are available:
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a Word version - best for completing on a computer and emailing
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a pdf version - best for printing / handwriting
If you have friends or neighbours who do not have access to a computer please print the pdf version and give them a copy to complete.
3. Simply write an email or write a letter
If you want to respond by letter the address is:
The SWLP Team
Warwick District Council
Town Hall
Parade
Royal Leamington Spa
CV32 4AT
If you want to respond by email, the address is:
If you want to comment on policies or policy directions, or on additional sites, you will need to use the consultation portal or the full version of the comment form. In this case you are advised to read the guidance and view the video on the SWLP website.
Issues to consider when drafting your comments
Remember: the ideas below are just to get you started. Do not copy directly. Responses MUST be individual.
Railways
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Service frequency from Hatton inadequate at present and limited capacity to improve.
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Vast investment needed to improve tracks, rolling stock, signalling, platforms, passenger facilities and provide step-free access.
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Poor access to station via Station Road. Not suitable for pedestrians, cyclists or buses.
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Car park too small and no room to expand.
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Access road too narrow and cannot be widened.
Can Hatton Station really be improved sufficiently to cope with increased passenger numbers?
Harm to Habitats
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Permanent loss of vital habitat for wildlife such as otters and skylarks.
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Disruption to important wildlife corridors, notably the canal and railway.
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Disturbance from light pollution.
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Interference from vastly increased number of humans and pets.
What do YOU think our legacy should be to our children and grandchildren?
The Roads
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Major upgrade to Longbridge (currently at or near capacity).
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Major upgrade to Stanks
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Warwick gridlock?
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Junction improvements needed for:
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A4177/B4439.
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A4177/A4141 Five Ways.
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B4439/The Green/Dark Lane.
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B4439/Station Road.
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A4189/Norton Curlieu Lane.
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A4189/Dark Lane
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Improvements in Warwick, e.g. Wedgenock Lane/Greville Road
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New bridge(s) needed over canal.
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Years of roadworks to endure.
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The Government would have to help fund the bigger projects.
Are the required improvements deliverable and affordable?
IMAGINE
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8,000+ houses
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A large industrial estate
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Population increase of about 18,000
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About 10,000 more private cars
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Increase in number of lorries
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Permanent destruction of the Green Belt
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The site is the size of 884 Wembley sized football pitches!
Loss of Farmland
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Permanent loss of 1,415 acres of productive farmland and countryside.
Do YOU think we should be more dependent on imported food?
Services
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2 secondary schools
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4-6 primary schools
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Health Centre
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Leisure facilities
Note: No intention to provide a new hospital.
How confident are YOU that these services would be delivered on time?
Loss of Green Belt
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Other sites which are NOT in the Green Belt have been put forward.
Which do YOU think we should be prioritising?
The deadline for responding to the consultation is 7th March.
ACT TODAY
Some tips
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It is important to stress that responses must be individual. Sometimes we are asked if we can provide a template but if responses look too similar then they are likely to be counted as one response.
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There are also comprehensive instructions on how to use the portal and a video on the SWLP website.
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You will need to register before you begin but having done so, your responses are saved automatically so that you can complete your response in more than one session.
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Your responses will not be kept confidential and will be publicly available.
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Remember that everyone in your household can submit their own response.
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Just saying you don't agree with the proposals is not enough. You need to give reasons for objecting which should be on planning grounds. These include inappropriate development in the green belt, impact on roads, rail and other infrastructure, increased pollution. Reduction in the value of your property and loss of views of the countryside are NOT relevant planning considerations.
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Be mindful of the deadline: 11:59 pm on Friday 7th March 2025.