Is Enforced Confidentiality Blocking Revelations about More Housing in Shipston Area

The latest Stratford-on-Avon District Council Extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Committee reveals that councillors have enforced confidentiality put upon them not to reveal other sites put forward as part of The South Warwickshire Local Plan.

The next stage of the plan has been delayed by at least 3 months

From this, we can only assume we will not be told about new sites being put forward to the SWLP until February/March 2026 at the earliest?

Unfortunately, our local councillors have no options here, so do not blame them when it is revealed they were already aware when the revelations are made public.

Likewise, it does nobody any favours if information is released prematurely.

South Warwickshire Local Plan Timeline

Reg 19 public consultation published before June 2026

6 – 8 weeks to record public opinions takes us to September 2026

Full SWLP produced and submitted before December 2026

Big Question – Will confidentiality be eased so we know more before June?

Update 4/03/2026

Limited minutes released in the Public Domain

Looking now like the full minutes of council meetings will not be published until April 2026 at the earliest citing commercially sensitive information as the primary concern for why they are being restricted.

Paraphrasing Councillor Kate Rolfe – 04/03/2026

“We are all aware of what is happening, and aware that there are developers out there who will take advantage of Stratford District Council not having a 5 year land supply… We are able to gain information about applications, but we would be stupid to bring it out in to the open or to anyone because of the situation we are in – I know what’s going to happen in my ward, which is scary.”

Paraphrasing Councillor Sarah Whalley-Hoggins – 04/03/2026

“Let me just be clear here, we had a meeting about major developments in the region but were sworn to secrecy about certain locations in the North of the district, do the parish council of this area know about this or are we keeping bigger and bigger secrets got. I am worried about transparency, we have other developments coming forward where we can’t even mention the name of the site. Reform-UK are concerned that residents are still not aware that this development is coming forward very rapidly and will have a massive impact”

Major new housing development in Long Compton, Brailes, Cherington or Shipston – Take your guess!