Councillors to assess Shipston’s infrastructure needs

The long-awaited Draft Core Strategy, prepared by Stratford District Council, is about to go out for further public consultation. The revised draft document includes recommendations that an increase is made to the overall housing numbers for the district (to 10,800) and that the plan period changes from 2008- 2028 to 2011-2031.

Councillor Martin Ferrier presented a paper raising concerns about implications in the Draft Strategy that development in Shipston is sustainable, despite the fact that the local schools and medical centre are already at capacity. Shipston Town Council voted to set up a short-term working group with the urgent action of clarifying the infrastructure needs in the town, which will inform the council’s consultation response. Work already being done by the Neighbourhood Plan team will feed into this process.

Members of the public are also invited to have their say on the propsals and councillors are urging as many people as possible to comment on the Draft Core Strategy by the 13th March. Mayor, Ronnie Murphy, said “whatever your views on the district council’s plans, please take time to respond to the consultation to ensure Shipston makes its voice heard.” Visit www.stratford.gov.uk for more information.