LATEST NEWS
25th May 2026
South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) – Latest Update for Shipston-on-Stour
The South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) has now reached the Regulation 19 Publication Stage. This is the final consultation stage before the Plan is submitted to an independent Planning Inspector for examination.
The consultation runs until 27 July 2026.
What does the SWLP propose for Shipston?
Under the Regulation 19 draft, Shipston-on-Stour is identified as a Local Service Centre rather than a Strategic Growth Location.
The Plan proposes five housing allocations (in orange on above map)
SHI.1 – Land off Shoulderway Lane (120 dwellings)
SHI.2 – Land east of Springhill, Stratford Road (14 dwellings)
SHI.3 – Land west of Furze Hill Road (164 dwellings)
SHI.4 – Land off Hanson Avenue (110 dwellings)
SHI.5 – South of Oldbutt Road (34 dwellings)
This represents a total allocation of approximately 442 dwellings.
Areas of Restraint and Landscape Protection (red line on above map)
The Regulation 19 Plan includes an Area of Restraint designation on land to the east of Shipston under Policy DS.17.
The purpose of Areas of Restraint is to protect important open land that contributes to the character, setting and identity of settlements. The policy seeks to prevent the erosion of important landscape gaps and maintain the open character of sensitive areas.
Cotswolds National Landscape Buffer
The SWLP also introduces a 3km buffer around the Cotswolds National Landscape (formerly the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
A significant proportion of land around Shipston falls within this buffer zone. Development proposals within the buffer may require consultation with the Cotswolds National Landscape Board and must consider impacts on the setting, views and landscape character of the National Landscape.
It should be noted that the buffer is not a prohibition on development. Several allocated housing sites around Shipston fall within the 3km buffer. However, proposals within the buffer are expected to demonstrate that impacts on the National Landscape have been properly assessed and addressed.
Further information is available via the South Warwickshire Local Plan website.
20th April 2026
FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE WARWICKSHIRE BRANCH OF CPRE
We are proud to share that the Warwickshire branch of Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has generously pledged £2,500 towards our specialist reports.
This funding will directly support the professional planning and environmental work needed to properly assess and respond to the scale and impact of the proposed development. Support of this kind is extremely valuable, and we are very grateful to CPRE for recognising the importance of this work and backing the campaign.
CPRE Warwickshire works to protect and improve the Warwickshire countryside for everyone. They campaign for sustainable development, the protection of green spaces, and better planning decisions that support both communities and the environment.
They also support practical solutions such as restoring hedgerows, improving access to green spaces, and encouraging more sustainable approaches to housing and land use.
If you would like to learn more about their work or support them directly, you can join their mailing list and make a donation here.
A sincere thank you to CPRE Warwickshire for your support.
1st April 2026
NEW planning application submitted for 34 houses
A new outline application has been submitted to SDC by Taylor Wimpey Homes, at Hanson Farm, Webb Road, Shipston. The plan is for 34 houses, including 12 affordable houses.
To make your representation on the Stratford District Council Planning Portal click here.
16th March 2026
AN UPDATE FROM DAVE PASSINGHAm, district councillor for shipston SOUTH
SOS has been working closely with our district councillors, Olivia and Dave, to ensure the concerns of Shipston residents are clearly understood.
In this short video, Dave Passingham gives an update on the impact of the new planning applications on our already-overstretched infrastructure and why it’s so important that the community stays engaged.
9th March 2026
Our New Fundraising Goal is £85,000. Why has this gone up?
SOS has raised nearly £50,000 through the huge generosity of its donors. This has been mainly through the GoFundMe site, direct donations and the donations from badges.
To date we have spent or committed around £41,000 on legal advice and consultants. All SOS members have provided their services for free.
We expect further legal and consultant costs of at least £11,000 and if the planning application goes to a public enquiry there will be an additional £50,000 cost incurred.
Please continue to help us fight this unsustainable development and the ruin of our lovely rural town.
If any funds are remaining after the campaign they will be donated to Shipston Home Nursing – supporting our community, no matter what.
4th February 2026
NEW PLANNING APPLICATION FOR 110 HOMES SUBMITTED
A new planning application for 110 houses at Hanson Avenue has been submitted by Taylor Wimpey.
To see and comment on the application click here.
We have compiled a list of all of the current planning applications around Shipston, with links to them on the Stratford District Council E-planning portal.
17th December 2025
SDC responds to Fell Mill developers scoping report
Tony Horton, the SDC case officer, has responded to the developers scoping report with a very robust response. This can be found here in the 'Decisions' section of 'Documents' (see below).
30th November 2025
ONLINE PUBLIC CONSULTATION for fell mill development
Lichfields and Mackenzie Miller Homes have now begun their own public consultation by delivering leaflets across the area. Many residents have already been in touch to say they’ve received one. This is an online consultation and begins on 3rd December.
We do not need to respond to this. It is not a planning application. If you wish to respond do not give any planning-based reasons for objecting. These points are far more effective when raised at the formal planning application stage, and we need to keep them in reserve until then.
This consultation is legally required of the developers before submitting their planning application. However, it appears to have been treated as a tick-box exercise and carried out very quickly, as it contains numerous errors.
Importantly, this is only an online consultation, which is inappropriate for our town, where many residents are not confident using the internet. Both SOS and Shipston Town Council have lodged formal complaints with the consultancy company about this.
See the complaint e-mail sent from Paul Tesh, Chair of Shipston Town Council Planning Committee below:
See video below of our District Councillor Olivia Hatch talking through the recent leaflet-drop:
Olivia Hatch - District Councillor for Shipston North
2nd November 2025
SCOPING REPORT SUBMITTED FOR 1150 HOUSES ON FELL MILL LANE
Litchfields (the planning consultants for the developers) and Mackenzie Miller Homes (the developers) have submitted a scoping report document to Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC) to determine what needs to be included in their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
An EIA is required to be submitted with a planning application for a major development of this scale. This indicates that the developers are preparing to submit an outline planning application for 1,150 homes on Fell Mill Lane in the near future.
All local parishes have been contacted and are holding meetings with Tony Horton, the case officer from SDC.
Here are the details:
Address
Land At Fell Mill And Leasow Farm Shipston-on-Stour
Proposal
Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Request relating to an Outline planning application for the erection of up to 1,150 dwellings (Use Class C3), up to 80 bedroom care facility (Use Class C2), riverside park, open space provision, primary school, food retail unit (up to 2499sqm), local centre, bridge over River Stour and associated infrastructure, with all matters reserved except access.
Application Type
Scoping Application
Status
Pending Consideration
The scoping document can be seen online at: https://apps.stratford.gov.uk/eplanningv2/AppDetail/Index/0c37b717-b69a-c41f-7375-08de0b044393?route=/Home
1st November 2025
SHIPSTON SPEAKS UP
Shipston residents are very concerned
Jasper Reid, a Shipston & surrounds resident making a lot of sense.