The Plans Proposed for Henley
The South Warwickshire Local Plan proposes a major new development on the north-west edge of Henley-in-Arden, including a minimum of 2,084 new homes alongside employment land and significant new infrastructure.
Proposed HEN.1 development area. Source: South Warwickshire Local Plan.
What is HEN.1?
HEN.1, previously referred to as SG23, is a proposed strategic development site within the South Warwickshire Local Plan.
The proposal would allocate a substantial area on the north-western edge of Henley-in-Arden for a new community, with a minimum of 2,084 homes, employment land and supporting infrastructure.
What would this expansion actually look like?
What is proposed?
HEN.1 is considerably more than a housing proposal. The plans envisage a new community requiring substantial transport, education, healthcare, utilities and other infrastructure.
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2,084+ Homes
A minimum of 2,084 new dwellings delivered across multiple phases.
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Employment & Innovation
Employment land including proposals for an Innovation Hub for research, development and office use.
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New Road Infrastructure
Including a proposed connection between the A3400 and A4189 and a new railway crossing.
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Education
New education provision would be required as part of a development of this scale.
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Transport
The proposals rely on significant improvements to road and sustainable transport infrastructure.
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Utilities & Services
Water, drainage, sewerage, healthcare and other local infrastructure would need to support the development.
Why We Believe HEN.1 Goes Too Far
We believe development on the scale proposed by HEN.1 is disproportionate and that significant concerns remain around its infrastructure, viability, sustainability and impact on Henley-in-Arden.
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Green Belt & Countryside
HEN.1 would permanently develop a substantial area of Green Belt on Henley’s north-western edge, changing the rural approach to the town and affecting the surrounding landscape.
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Roads & Transport
More than 2,000 additional homes would generate significant additional traffic. Important local traffic modelling is still incomplete, while questions remain around junction capacity, the proposed A3400 – A4189 connection and future rail provision.
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Scale & Character
A minimum of 2084 homes would more than double the size of Henley’s existing town. We believe growth must be proportionate to the size and role of the town and protect its historic setting and identity.
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Infrastructure & Services
Development on this scale would require substantial investment in roads, schools, healthcare, drainage, sewerage and other services. Questions remain over how all of this infrastructure would be funded, delivered and phased alongside new homes.
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Sustainability & Environment
The Sustainability Appraisal identifies potential impacts relating to climate change, biodiversity, landscape, cultural heritage and natural resources, with some significant adverse effects remaining even after proposed mitigation.
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Affordable Housing & Viability
The Council’s own viability study finds the development would not be able to deliver all the proposed infrastructure as well as the required numbers of affordable housing, as the costs are too high. Even an optimistic 20% increase in market values would only support 35% affordable homes.
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Employment and Economic Sustainability
The levels of local employment opportunity are not enough to support a substantial increase in the working population. This would increase dependence on commuting.
Explore the Proposed Plans
The HEN.1 proposal contains considerably more detail about the proposed development, including housing, transport connections, green infrastructure, education and employment provision.
Whatever your view on HEN.1, this is a major proposal for the future of our town. We encourage residents to understand the plans, consider the evidence and make their views known.
SWLP public consultation.
The consultation closed on Tuesday 8 September 2026.
We thank Henley residents for a superb response to the SWLP public consultation. We are confident hundreds of objections to the HEN.1 plans were submitted to Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon Councils. These will now be analysed and collated ahead of independent examination and will be published on the SWLP website in due course.
The deadline for the councils to decide on and submit the SWLP for scrutiny by the Planning inspectorate is 31st December 2026. As time is short, opportunities to alter the plan (if it is to be submitted) are very limited.
If, as expected, SWLP is submitted on 31st December it will be up to the planning inspectorate to recommend uptake, alterations or rejection of the SWLP plan with potential final adoption planned for March 2028.
We met our legal counsel, Douglas Edwards KC, on 2nd October ’26. He is acknowledged as one of the leading silks at the planning bar. We are delighted to say the meeting was very positive and gave us a clear plan of action. The SWLP plans for Henley are NOT A DONE DEAL! The recommendation is to appoint an experienced Town Planning Consultant to support us through the next steps. Fundraising is crucial in order to facilitate this so any and all donations are very gratefully received.
We’ve prepared two guides to help you respond to the SWLP consultation. Choose the version that suits you best, and remember to put your response into your own words.
Quick Objection Guide
Short, straightforward guidance with suggested representations of fewer than 100 words.
Detailed Objection Guide
More comprehensive guidance explaining the Regulation 19 process, the evidence and detailed suggested objection points.
*Please use the suggested representations as a framework and adapt the wording to reflect your own views and circumstances.*