Latest news with #Stratford-on-AvonDistrictCouncil
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Stratford councillors vote for two-authority plan for county
Warwickshire should be run by two councils rather than one in the future, one of its district authorities has county is currently covered by one county council and five smaller district and borough councils, with services split over these two the government announced proposals last year for a major redesign of local authorities to streamline services and save county council has already set out a case for a single unitary authority, but Stratford-on-Avon District Council voted on Monday to progress plans for split north Warwickshire and south Warwickshire councils. The controlling Liberal Democrat group was joined by Green Party members in supporting plans for two unitary bar one Conservative and both independent members chose to not to vote either way, saying this was mainly on the basis arguments were not fully one Conservative councillor voted against the two-council will now be asked for their views before the authority sends its final submission to the government in November. 'Issues with both choices' Council leader councillor Susan Juned has previously said Warwickshire's authorities had a "clear preference" for two new unitary councils, rather than one.A Deloitte report commissioned by all five district and borough councils suggested a county-wide unitary would achieve greater financial it added two councils would be the best option against all other criteria, including governance, public service delivery, local identity, and stronger community the meeting on Monday, Lib Dem councillor Victoria Alcock spoke against the idea of one large authority and said: "Having somebody faceless coming into a large area, residents will suffer and in quite a big way."Conservative councillor Ian Shenton expressed concerns about both said: "This will be an issue whatever route is taken. Even with two unitaries, there is no guarantee, for instance, that the council will be based here in Stratford-upon-Avon." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Solar farm plans narrowly approved by councillors
Plans for a huge solar farm in the Warwickshire countryside have been narrowly approved by a single vote. Objectors to the proposed site on Fosse Way in Moreton Morrell had voiced concerns over its potential impact on wildlife and the loss of farming land and heritage. Planning officers recommended approval after they argued the benefits of clean energy. The work applicants, Innova Renewables, had also agreed to create wildlife habitats. Stratford-on-Avon District Council's planning committee passed the proposals by four votes to three. The overall site covers 81 hectares of land, with panels covering 46 hectares across five agricultural fields. Conservative councillor Anne Parry and three parish councils, Newbold Pacey & Ashorne, Moreton Morrell and Lighthorne, all voiced objections to the scheme. A total of 276 representations against the plans were also submitted, which included one from Conservative MP for Kenilworth and Southam, Sir Jeremy Wright. Independent councillor Trevor Harvey said national planning guidance told councillors to give significant weight to renewable energy applications. The contractor "has gone a long way to make changes to accommodate the criticisms made", he added, which included not placing panels on higher ground. However, Conservative councillor Daren Pemberton said the plans would "undoubtedly harm" the rural patch. "We have seen a plethora of these sites in a relatively confined area, and that has an adverse impact on local communities," he said. Conservative councillor Bill Fleming voted against the plans and added he was "hugely concerned" by the amount of agricultural land lost in Warwickshire. "We are an agricultural county; it is one of the things we are famous for, and there is a constant erosion of farmland being taken away," he said. Permission for the farm lasts for 40 years, after which the land has to be returned to its former condition. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Solar farm plans near village a 'massive problem' Solar farm to power 14,500 homes is approved Solar farm row pits 'builders against blockers' Can solar farm plans overcome Tory MPs' concerns? Local Democracy Reporting Service Stratford-on-Avon District Council
