HOW TO RESPOND
Submitting a Representation
The South Warwickshire Local Plan consultation uses planning terminology that many people haven't come across before.
Don't worry. We've created this step-by-step guide to explain everything in plain English and help you submit an effective representation.
Online form or letter?
The Council encourages residents to submit comments using the online consultation portal, as it links your comments directly to the relevant policies and development sites. However, another option is to send a letter or separate document to the Council.
You can do both if you wish—for example, submit a summary online and a more detailed letter separately. All representations received during the consultation period will be considered by the independent Planning Inspector as part of the Examination in Public.
Below we show you how to submit your comments via the Council portal.
STEP 01
Create a free online account & find the consultation
To submit comments, you'll first need to create a free online account on the South Warwickshire consultation portal.
Open the Official Consultation Portal ↗Click "Register" in the top right-hand corner of the consultation portal.
1.1 Click 'Register' in the top-right corner of the consultation portal.
Register using your email address. You'll receive a verification code by email. Enter the code on the website, then choose a password to activate your account. You'll also be asked to provide your name and address. If your verification email doesn't arrive within a few minutes, check your Spam or Junk folder first. If it's still not there, click 'Get another verification code'. Some users have also found that registering with a different email address works better.
1.2 Enter the verification code from your email and create a password.
Once your registration is complete you'll receive a confirmation email with the subject "Welcome to the Warwick District Council system". After logging in, the Regulation 19 consultation will appear on your dashboard.
1.3 After logging in you'll see the Regulation 19 consultation on your dashboard.
STEP 02
Find the part of the Local Plan you want to comment on
After logging in, you'll see the Regulation 19 Local Plan. Don't worry - you don't need to read the whole Local Plan. Simply find the policy or development site you want to comment on.
Use the table of contents on the left-hand side of the page to browse the different chapters, policies and proposed development sites. For many residents this may be STR.2 (South of Stratford, section 8.18), but you can comment on any policy or allocation that matters to you. In Step 4 we'll provide resources to help you write an effective response.
2.1 Use the table of contents to navigate to the policy or development site you want to comment on.
Once you've opened the section you're interested in, click the Comment button to begin your representation.
2.2 Click the 'Comment' button to begin writing your representation.
You'll then be asked whether you: • Support the Plan • Object to the Plan • Simply wish to comment Choose the option that best reflects your views.
2.3 Select whether you support, object to, or simply wish to comment on the proposal.
If you object to the proposal, you'll be asked two important questions: • Is the Plan legally compliant? • Is the Plan sound? Don't worry if you're unsure what these mean—we explain both in 'Understanding the Inspector's Questions'.
2.4 You'll be asked whether you believe the Plan is legally compliant and sound.
Next you'll have the opportunity to explain your views and describe any changes you think should be made to the Plan - we will provide more support for this in step 3.
2.5 Write your comments and explain what changes you would like to see.
If you have supporting evidence—such as photographs, reports or letters—you can upload up to four documents (maximum 20 MB each).
2.6 You can upload up to four supporting documents.
Finally, you'll be asked whether you'd like to take part in the Examination hearing sessions. If you have the time, we encourage you to answer "Yes". This doesn't guarantee you'll be invited.
2.7 Indicate whether you'd be willing to participate in an Examination hearing session.
Understanding the Inspector's Questions
When you submit a representation, the Planning Inspector will consider two main questions.
📜 Is the Plan legally compliant?
This asks whether the Council has followed the legal process required to prepare the Local Plan.
Examples include:
- Has the required public consultation taken place?
- Has the Council followed planning legislation?
- Have the required environmental and technical assessments been completed?
- Has the correct legal process been followed?
💡 In practice
Most residents focus on whether the Plan is sound, although you can also comment on legal compliance if you believe the Council has not followed the required process.
⚖️ Is the Plan sound?
This is the question that most residents will want to consider.
A Local Plan is considered sound if it has been properly prepared, is supported by evidence and can realistically be delivered.
The Planning Inspector considers four tests:
🏘️ Positively Prepared
Has the Council properly planned for future housing, employment and infrastructure?
📊 Justified
Is there sufficient evidence to support the Council's proposals? Have reasonable alternatives been considered?
🚦 Effective
Can the Local Plan actually be delivered? For example, can the roads, schools, healthcare and other infrastructure support the proposed growth?
📘 Consistent with National Policy
Does the Local Plan follow the Government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)?
⭐ What does this mean for most residents?
Many representations submitted by local residents focus on whether the Local Plan is:
📊 Justified
Is there enough evidence to support the proposals?
🚦 Effective
Can the proposals actually be delivered in practice?
These explanations have been written in plain English to help residents understand the consultation. The official planning definitions can be found in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
STEP 03
Writing an effective representation
A good representation explains your concerns clearly and relates them to planning issues. Where possible, refer to evidence rather than opinion alone. If you believe the Plan isn't legally compliant or isn't sound, explain why and, if appropriate, what changes you think should be made. To help residents, we're preparing a series of evidence pages which summarise the key issues and explain where they may be relevant when commenting on the Local Plan.
📚 Evidence library
Each evidence page will summarise the available evidence, explain the planning issues and indicate where that evidence may be relevant when preparing your representation.
🚗 Transport
Relevant consultation sections: • Chapter 3 – Delivering the Necessary Infrastructure • STR.1 – South Western Gateway • STR.2 – South of Stratford • LMA – Long Marston Airfield New Settlement
Read the Transport evidence →🌿 Sustainability & Environment
Relevant consultation sections: • Chapter 6 – Achieving a Net Zero & Climate Resilient South Warwickshire • Chapter 7 – Enhancing the Built & Natural Environment • STR.1 • STR.2 • LMA
🏡 Alternative Sites (Bearley & Wilmcote)
Relevant consultation sections: • Chapter 2 – Development Strategy: South Warwickshire 2050 • STR.2 – South of Stratford • LMA – Long Marston Airfield New Settlement
🏗️ Infrastructure Delivery
Relevant consultation sections: • Chapter 3 – Delivering the Necessary Infrastructure • Chapter 2 – Development Strategy • STR.1 • STR.2 • LMA
🗣️ Consultation & Process
Relevant consultation sections: • Legal Compliance This page will explain the statutory consultation process and where residents may wish to raise concerns about whether the Local Plan has been prepared in accordance with the relevant legal requirements.
Ready to explore more?
Continue exploring the website to learn more about the Local Plan, the evidence behind our concerns, and how you can get involved.
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