March 2025
What’s next for the Local Plan?
The deadline for responses to the South Warwickshire Local Plan has now passed, after Stratford District Council and Warwick District Council completed their public consultation of Part 1 of the plan on 7th March. Within the plan, 14 sites around Shipston have been identified as potential development areas for approximately 3,000 houses.
The Town Council has objected strongly to the level of landowner/developer proposed development, mainly on the grounds of inadequate existing infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Save Our Shipston campaign has been working hard to help residents understand the potential impacts of the proposed development plan and encouraging people to submit their personal responses.
“We now await a decision at the end of the year to determine whether Stratford and Warwickshire District Councils will be persuaded that Shipston is not an appropriate site for such a large-scale development,” said a spokesperson.
Cllr Paul Tesh explains the procedure and the Town Council response on page 3 of The Shipston Forum while Save our Shipston sets out how they have campaigned on page 8.
No beds at the Badger
The NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has announced that there will be no beds at the Ellen Badger hospital in Shipston.
Following a decision made at an ICB Board meeting on 19th March, the 35 community rehabilitation beds in South Warwickshire will be permanently located at two sites, Leamington Spa Hospital and Stratford Hospital – a continuation of current arrangements, which have been in place since works began at the Ellen Badger in January 2022.
This went against the very clear preference of the town and surrounding area. Responses to the six-week consultation process showed 82% in favour of having beds in three hospitals including Shipston’s Ellen Badger.
The ICB has recognised the need for a wider consideration of health services for rural communities and will now adopt a “whole system approach to engagement with communities, prioritising rural communities initially.”
The Beds for Badger organising committee has responded by saying: “We must now use this opportunity to get the focus on patient-centred care in our rural community.”
The ICB Board and NHS provider SWFT will now work in partnership to develop a full implementation plan. Read more about the Beds for Badger Campaign’s reaction on page 5 of the Shipston Forum.
Victory in Europe 80th Anniversary
The Shipston-on-Stour Branch of the Royal British Legion will be supporting the town council in celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe on Thursday, 8th May.
Throughout the day, there will be a variety of town activities, such as:
0800 - Proclamation in the town square
0900 - Flag raising and small ceremony at the Gyratory
1200-1400 - Lunch at the Warm Hub (Scout Hut)
1500 - Declaration by Sir Winston Churchill 1530 - Shop window decoration competition.
1800 - Party at Low Furlong (Food, Bar, Music)
2030 - Music at the Beacon
2130 - Lighting of the Beacon
This will be a great occasion for the town to come together and celebrate in the spirit of 1940s Britain! We look forward to seeing you all on the day. And there’s more to come as well, so stay tuned!
If you’re interested in coming to the VE Day celebratory lunch at the Warm Hub from 12 noon to 2pm on 8th May, please let Rowena Webb know as soon as possible on 07967 479375 as spaces are limited. Alistair Watkins Secretary, Royal British Legion, Shipston branch.