South Warwickshire Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation 2026

Response date 7 September 2026

Our main comments

Most proposed development is in the north of the South Warwickshire Local Plan area. It does not border Oxfordshire.

Our main comments concern development that could affect Oxfordshire. These include:

• transport effects from the Gaydon Lighthorne Heath employment site
• education effects from smaller developments near the county boundary
• policies that could improve health and reduce health inequalities

Gaydon Lighthorne Heath employment site

The Gaydon Lighthorne Heath employment site is next to the B4001 and the M40. Both routes continue south into Oxfordshire.

The proposed site requirements include changes to access from the B4100. They also include possible improvements to junction 12 of the M40.

We want to be involved with National Highways when detailed proposals come forward. This will help us understand any effects on transport across the county boundary and whether further measures are needed.

Housing and education

Most proposed strategic housing growth is in the north of the plan area. The plan expects related infrastructure, including education, to be provided in that area.

Smaller developments could still come forward near Oxfordshire. Some developments may affect education across the county boundary.

We want to be involved when a planning assessment identifies a possible effect on Oxfordshire.

Health and wellbeing

We support the plan's vision for South Warwickshire to be a healthy place. We also support its aim to improve quality of life and reduce health inequalities.

Health is considered across several parts of the plan, including:

• active travel and transport connections
• green spaces, waterways and other green infrastructure
• open space and recreation
• housing design and provision
• community facilities
• environmental quality
• planning for climate change

Health Impact Assessments

We support Policy BN.7, which covers Health Impact Assessments. These assessments consider how a development could affect people's health.

We have asked for clearer guidance about the method, scope and level of detail expected. The plan should also explain when a more detailed assessment is needed.

We have recommended monitoring the measures identified through Health Impact Assessments. This would help show whether they achieve their intended health outcomes.

Protecting important facilities

Policy BN.7 lists facilities that development could remove. We have suggested making clear that the loss of these uses would not be supported:

• education facilities
• health and social care facilities
• leisure and community facilities
• publicly accessible open space

Reducing health inequalities

We have asked for stronger requirements for development to reduce health inequalities.

Development should improve access to services, green space, active travel and community facilities. This is particularly important for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

Healthy food and social connection

We have asked for stronger support for healthy food environments. This includes community food growing and considering the combined effects of hot food takeaways near schools.

The plan should also recognise how public spaces, green infrastructure and community facilities can support:

• mental wellbeing
• social connection
• reduced loneliness

Inclusive places

We have asked for inclusive design policies to cover age-friendly, dementia-friendly and neurodiversity-sensitive places.

The plan should also explain the health benefits of action on climate change. These benefits can include better air quality, cooler urban spaces, more physical activity and improved mental wellbeing.

Monitoring health outcomes

We have suggested adding health measures to the plan's monitoring framework. These could cover:

• active travel
• access to green space
• delivery of health infrastructure
• measures identified through Health Impact Assessments

Read the full response

The full response includes our cross-boundary transport and education comments and detailed advice from our public health team.

Download our full South Warwickshire Local Plan response (pdf format, 500KB)

Alternative formats

Contact the strategic planning team to request this information in another format.