South Warwickshire locals are set to be kept waiting for details on the next stage of a major planning document which will determine where up to 35,000 new houses will be built in the region.

Already behind schedule, the next step of the South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) was due to be published before the end of the year, but will now not come until 2026.

Following another public consultation earlier this year, Warwick and Stratford District Councils have been working together to "prioritise sustainable locations that benefit residents, businesses, and the environment".

In December there was due to be another consultation on the next version of the plan. This has now been pushed back.

"Following the public consultation which took place on a 'preferred options' draft of the South Warwickshire Local Plan between January and March this year, work has been continuing to prepare the next draft of the Local Plan for public consultation," the SWLP website said. 

"This is the 'publication' version which is due to be launched by December 2025 under the current timetable.

"For a variety of reasons, there will be a delay to finalise this document and so the councils will not be producing this document before the end of the year. 

"A revised timetable for the continued work on the South Warwickshire Local Plan will be prepared to be considered by both councils soon."

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

After the next consultation the SWLP will be nearing completion, and will be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. 

This was supposed to be in September 2026, but is now up against it time wise as there is a deadline for submission of December next year.

After that the Secretary of State will spend months considering the proposals, although only minor changes are likely at that point.

A consultation could then take place on these minor changes before the plan is adopted in December 2027.

Residents have already been consulted on the SWLP, having been asked to put forward a series of potential development sites across South Warwickshire.