Stratford-upon-Avon had most new homes built, study finds

Stratford upon Avon has seen 3,860 homes built between 2020 and 2023

Stratford-upon-Avon had the highest number of new homes built over the past three years in relation to its population, a study has found.

A total of 3,860 houses were built in the district between 2020 and 2023, according to the group 24 Housing.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the development in the area was "very sad and not necessary".

However, the district council said it was under "enormous pressure" from the government to meet housing demand.

Mark Sullivan, from CPRE's Warwickshire branch, said the building was leading to the overcrowding of "attractive villages".

"They're not actually providing for the needs of the people of Stratford district, who are not actually increasing in population at all," he said.

Mr Sullivan said instead it had resulted in "more traffic on the roads, more crowding in schools, problems in providing health services".

According to 24housing.co.uk's study, Stratford-upon-Avon had seen 283.9 newbuilds completed per 10,000 population, putting it ahead of South Derbyshire and Mid-Suffolk, which were second and third in the list.

Gill Broad, senior editor at 24 Housing, said the findings showed the importance of "proactive urban planning".

"Local authorities play a pivotal role in shaping the built environment and enhancing the quality of life for residents," she added.

George Cowcher, who holds the planning and economic development portfolio at Stratford District Council, Council, said the area had been lacking a "proper local plan".

But he said the new Liberal Democrat administration was in the process of drawing one up to bring the number of new builds under control.

However, he said the authority was under "enormous pressure" from the government.

"We're not masters in our own house here unfortunately, numbers are forced on us by government," he said.

"I think the important point is to make sure we're putting the infrastructure in to service this new development."

He added more national funding would be needed to do that.

The 2019 Conservative manifesto set an annual target of building 300,000 homes a year in England as part of plans for more affordable homes and to address housing demand.