Scottish Developer, Mac Mic, has submitted outline planning permission to build 265 houses on Green Belt land (marked in yellow on map) at Blackford Mill Farm. The plans are available on Stratford-upon-Avon e-Planning portal.
About the Blackford Mill Site
The land is predominantly agricultural and has a wildlife-rich part of the river Alne and its flood plain bisecting the proposed site. If approved, the development would surround a listed building, Blackford Mill, which is a historically significant heritage asset dating back to medieval times. The site is partly in Wootton Wawen Parish and partly in Henley Parish. There are two proposed access points into and out of the site, one on the A3400 opposite the Birmingham City FC training ground and the second on Blackford Hill by the Secondary School.
Why the plans are not suitable
Road Safety
The Warwickshire Police Traffic Management Advisor recently outlined serious safety issues and congestion already affecting the A4189, A3400 and Henley crossroads. There is significant concern about the additional impact of more traffic, particularly so close to a school.
Biodiversity
The site sits within 24 acres of unspoilt Green Belt land. The River Alne, which would bifurcate the development, is a designated Wildlife Site with endangered species present. Development will adversely impact the rich biodiversity and ecology of the site.
Infrastructure
No expansion of infrastructure is planned for this development. This will create strain on Henley’s services including health care, electricity supply, water supply, sewage capacity and the road network.
Flood Risk
The Mercia Mudstone and heavy clay at the site restricts drainage and sits within the River Alne’s floodplain. The Environment Agency notes that the Alne therefore responds rapidly to rainfall, contributing to the area’s established flood risk.
Urban Sprawl
The development is situated on the border of Wootton Wawen and Henley-in-Arden. Building in this site joins up the two settlements creating urban sprawl. This is not in keeping with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2024).
Heritage
The beautiful Blackford Mill is a Grade II listed building that can be found in the Doomsday Book. The Mill parts are still in situ with ironmongery forged in Tamworth. The development will surround this historic building and detract from the heritage significance of the site.
How to object
The Outline Planning Permission Application (OPPA) can be found on Stratford District Councils e-Planning portal. This is where objections or comments can be submitted. If submitting your objection click on the ‘SDC e-Planning portal’ link below. Then click on ‘Comment’ at the top and you will then be prompted to submit your details and objection.
Despite this being an OPPA focussing on traffic and congestion issues, we have been advised by SDC that all matters will be considered. We therefore recommend completing objections with any/all of the arguments you wish to put forward, not only traffic concerns.
Whilst the original deadline was 2nd October, SDC have relaxed this for several reasons. The deadline is now 28th October. The detailed objection from Henley’s Future Counts can be viewed below and used to help you construct your own response. The Wootton Wawen Action Group have an AI objection tool you can also use to help as below.
