A land promoter is pressing ahead with plans for 1,200 new homes between Leamington Spa and Kenilworth.

Richborough Estates had already signalled its intentions for the land at Sandy Lane, Blackdown having suggested it be included in the new South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP).

The major planning document will decide where some 35,000 houses are built across Warwick and Stratford districts over the next 25 years.

The 200-acre plot has been shortlisted as a possible 'strategic growth location' in the developing SWLP.

And now Richborough has submitted a 'scoping opinion' request to Warwick District Council, asking for more details before it puts together a full planning application for the development.

Plans state the land could have 1,200 homes, a local centre and 'mobility hub', a primary school and community park built.

Planning firm Delta Planning has been working with Richborough on the submission, with a notice on its website saying it is working on "strategic land promotion of [a] 200 acre green belt site through the local plan and concurrent preparation of outline planning application".

What is happening with the local plan?

Already delayed, the SWLP will not be finished until the end of 2027 - providing there are no more hold ups.

Public consultations have already been held, asking locals to suggest possible development sites in the area as well as their views on priorities for local growth.

Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils are currently working to bring together a draft of the plan.

This is likely to include a 'new settlement' area.

The next consultation is expected to take place at the end of 2025.

After the results of this are fed back, the SWLP will be nearing completion, and will be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. This could be in September 2026.

After that the Secretary of State will spend months considering the proposals, although only minor changes are likely at that point.

A consultation could then take place on these minor changes before the plan is adopted in December 2027.

(Header image by Robin Stott via geograph.org.uk)