Planning Policy

Housing Need & Delivery Requirements

National planning policy requires councils to plan for enough homes and to focus growth in sustainable, well‑connected locations. Warwick District Council must demonstrate at least five years’ worth of deliverable housing land, but the most recent published figure shows it can currently demonstrate only 1.96 years, significantly below the national requirement.

Recent national changes have also increased Warwick District’s annual housing requirement to over 1,000 homes per year, up from 653 previously, creating further pressure to identify suitable, sustainable locations for new homes. Combined, these factors mean the Council must consider sites that can deliver housing quickly and in well‑connected places, while still responding sensitively to local character.

‘Grey Belt’ Introduction

In December 2024, the Government updated the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), introducing the concept of “Grey Belt”. This recognises that some Green Belt land performs a weaker role and may be appropriate for sustainable development where it can deliver clear public benefits.

The updated NPPF expects councils to consider Green Belt edges that:

Early masterplanning for Hockley Heath has followed this direction, focusing on delivering public benefits including community facilities, land set aside for a primary school and 50% affordable housing. We also propose retaining large areas of land as publicly accessible green space, including a proposed country park, new habitats, woodland planting and improved walking and cycling links.

The South Warwickshire Local Plan and Hockley Heath’s role

Warwick District Council and Stratford‑on‑Avon District Council are preparing the new South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP), which will set out where new homes, jobs and infrastructure should be located over the long term. Warwick District’s current Local Plan (2017) is now out of date, and the SWLP will replace it.

In the Preferred Options consultation (2025), the Hockley Heath area was identified as a potential growth location, meaning it is formally being assessed as part of the emerging spatial strategy. The councils are examining:

Land East of Stratford Road sits directly next to the existing settlement boundary, falls within a highly accessible location, and has the capacity to provide high‑quality green infrastructure and community benefits. These qualities place it firmly within the type of sites the councils are considering.