Plans for 800-home sustainable development ‘unlike any in the UK’ on land near Southam

The outline application, which could be altered in terms of its layout, appearance and scale later down the line, has been made by Cerda Planning on behalf of The Darling Family Trust.

The 40-hectare site is situated immediately to the south of the A425 adjoining the Codemasters site and opposite the Dallas Burston Polo Ground.

The ‘mixed use’ scheme will comprise up to 800 dwellings, a primary school, a communications and security centre, a flood zone and a public open space.

In a statement regarding the proposals, referred to as Stoneythorpe Village, Cerda Planning has said: “The overall development concept has been developed with technology, energy efficiency and sustainability at its core.

“A development to these standards and this scale has not been attempted in the UK.’

The application, which has been valid since the start of the month, is due to go before Stratford District Council’s planning committee in March.

Cllr Andrew Crump (Con, Southam South), who is member of the planning committee, said: “This site is not one which was listed to be built on in our Core Strategy.

“It will be interesting to see what the planning inspector has to say in January.

“What we have to examine, for this and other proposals for sites which are not in the strategy, is whether the site will be sustainable in terms of infrastructure, including transport and schools.

“This plan would obviously have a huge impact on Southam in terms of things such as where people go to shop, where children will be educated and which doctor they use.”

A pre-application inquiry, including a master-plan of the proposals, was submitted by Cerda to the district council 
in December last year and a meeting was held with planning officers in April.

Public consultation events took place in February and March and 4,000 leaflets were delivered to houses within the area near the proposed site.

At the events, feedback forms were handed out from which 83 responses were received.

According to Cerda’s report, a total of 63 per cent of respondents from the February event were positive about the scheme - either finding it exciting or interesting, while 11 per cent said it was a good idea but in the wrong location.

From the March exhibition only 30 per cent said they thought the development was either good or would have a positive impact on the surrounding area, while 50 per cent said the scheme was not good, too big or on the wrong site.

A quarter of respondents from the February events said sustainability was the most pleasing aspect of the scheme.

While the response from the March exhibition showed 30 per cent finding the eco-friendly aspect the most pleasing.

At both exhibitions the majority of respondents were supportive of the zero-carbon approach being promoted with 74 per cent and 64 per cent in support respectively.

The main concerns raised were the impact of the development alongside HS2 and also flood risk and traffic.

Consultation with HS2 has already taken place.