A two-year delay on the new local plan - which could make way for 35,000 new houses in South Warwickshire - is causing unrest for locals, councillors have been told.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick District Councils last week agreed a new timetable for the new South Warwickshire Local Plan, which will map out where new developments will be allowed across the region.

Originally due to be put into place in 2025, locals will now not see the final proposals for two districts until at least 2027, following major delays to the project.

But speaking at last week's Kenilworth Town Council meeting, Cllr Richard Dickson said it is vital local residents are kept informed.

Suggested areas for development around Kenilworth (image via SWLP website)

"It is causing them some uncertainty," the Liberal Democrat councillor said. 

"I don't think it is yet causing blight, but it might be, in terms of making it difficult to sell properties - it is difficult enough as it is to sell properties. 

"But perhaps when the next district council report comes to the next town council meeting, we could specifically ask that there be an update on the communication plans for local residents, as to what is happening. 

"We know where they are, the roads that are affected by it. 

"But we owe it to residents to be communicating directly to them."

Delays to the new local plan have been blamed on delays to publishing the 2021 Census data, changes to the councils' political makeups following the local elections and "uncertainty of potential changes to national planning policy".

And while the councils have now confirmed the new timetable, they also said it may be subject to further change.

The original proposed timeline for the new South Warwickshire Local Plan (image via SWLP website)

Work on the major planning document began in 2021, and local residents have now twice been asked to suggest where more houses should be built in the region - with some 555 sites suggested in early 2022.

Earlier this year the councils also published feedback from the also-delayed issues and options consultation, which asked locals for their views on priorities for the region going forward.

And now a full consultation statement - which is nearly 300 pages long - has been published on the SWLP website.

Councillors have said the new local plan could see as many as 35,000 new houses built across the region, and could feature a brand new settlement.

Local councillors from across the political spectrum in Kenilworth have called on the district councils not to build any more houses in green belt land around the town.

Kenilworth Town Council also wrote a letter to its district colleagues, reiterating the same message.

All the sites across Warwick and Stratford districts can be seen in an interactive map on the SWLP website.