I was delighted to read the latest draft of Stratford’s Neighbourhood Development Plan, soon to be submitted to the District Council for Formal Consultation after being unanimously approved by the Town Council.

It was pleasing to see a clear commitment in the Plan to achieving a balance between meeting the needs of residents and of tourists within our cherished Town Centre.

The Plan’s proposal that future housing in the Town Centre will need to make appropriate provisions for parking, as well as the promise that it will be encouraged when the new housing involves the re-use of upper floors so as to maximise the use of existent buildings, is encouraging. To further address parking within the Town Centre, I am pleased that the Plan recommends the establishment of a Car Parking Advisory Body to ensure a balance between the need for parking spaces and the need to ease congestion in the Town Centre.

I think the promotion of a new Cultural and Learning Quarter on Henley Street is an exciting idea, it will be an excellent addition and consolidation to the existing tourist facilities surrounding Shakespeare’s Birthplace including the Shakespeare Centre.

Stratford’s visual heritage is rightly accorded much attention in the Plan. The proposition to provide funding to businesses to ensure their shop fronts are in keeping with the character of the Town Centre is, I believe, a discerning one. It is something I think will both please residents and enhance the experience of tourists.

Also of note were the Plan’s proposals for traffic calming on the Birmingham Road and Guild Street (between Maybrook Road and Windsor Street). It is auspicious to hear that the Plan’s desire to see a broader approach to calming traffic in the Town Centre would not be inconsistent with elements of the County Council’s ongoing scheme to reduce congestion on the Birmingham Road. This scheme was initiated as a result of a series of summits that I organised in response to high numbers of complaints from constituents. I am therefore pleased that the issue is being taken seriously by all levels of local government in Stratford, and that there will be a number of initiatives at Town, District and County Council level all working in tandem to alleviate congestion on the Birmingham Road.

I very much hope that the District Council will give this Neighbourhood Development Plan the same enthusiastic backing as the Town Council so that our town can continue to be successful in serving its own residents, residents of the wider local area, and the many thousands of visitors who come to Stratford each year.