Residents will next year be given their say on plans for new housing sites around Kenilworth.

Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils are looking to move forward with the much-delayed South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) which will see around 35,000 houses built across the region over the next 25 years.

Having already asked locals for their input, the local authorities have whittled down potential areas for development to a shortlist of 36 spots - 12 of which could see new settlements created.

Immediately around Kenilworth, land around the University of Warwick, Stoneleigh, Coventry Airport and Rouncil Lane have all been included in the shortlist.

And following a decision on Thursday (12 December), residents, businesses and other stakeholders will be invited to have their say on the 'preferred options' version of the SWLP.

The consultation opens on 10 January 2025 and will run until 7 March.

Potential new housing sites around South Warwickshire (image via SWLP)

Details of how to take part in the consultation will be published in the new year as well as the link to the online consultation.

In-person events will also be held.

Not all the 36 housing sites will be needed to meet the councils' housing needs in South Warwickshire.

Residents will also be asked specifically on:

• Gypsy and Traveller sites
• Commercial and Community-Led Renewable Energy generation sites
• Housing and Employment sites within the 12 potential new settlement locations

Warwick District Council's portfolio holder for place, Cllr Chris King commented: "This is a key step in the preparation of our combined Local Plan, which will determine where we should locate the homes and employment land that we need in the coming decades and ensure that this development happens in the most sustainable locations that work for residents and businesses whilst safeguarding the environment.

"The 'Preferred Options' consultation will give local people the opportunity to look in detail at emerging potential locations for strategic growth and new settlements that can meet the area's needs.

"The plan includes a growth strategy which has regard to the previous Issues & Options consultation results which identified the growth option that focused on the Economy and Sustainable Travel as the most popular. "The document has been informed by a significant amount of evidence and expert opinion.

"This consultation is now the opportunity to seek the views of residents, businesses and the development industry."

Already delayed, SWLP will govern local house building until 2050. It was due to be brought in for 2025, but has been pushed back to 2027.

As well as the sites around Kenilworth, land either side of the A46 to the west of Warwick has been included as well as multiple locations around Leamington Spa.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, plots to the north west of the town - again around the A46 - as well as land around Shottery have been shortlisted.

See the full council report here.