STRATFORD district’s core strategy, which outlines broad locations, scale and support infrastructure for a new development, will now be subjected to a public examination beginning in January.

By holding the examination planning inspector Pete Drew will be able to determine whether the Core Strategy is sound and complies with all the legal requirements.

The sessions cover a range of topics and will run over a four week period beginning on Tuesday, January 6.

Participation in the sessions will be planned in advance by the inspector and this will be reliant on them making representations relevant to the topic being discussed on the day.

Councillor Chris Saint, leader of Stratford District Council, said: “We have now had confirmation by the planning inspector of the full programme for the public examination of our core strategy.

“We are continuing to make progress along the journey as we reach this critical stage in the whole process and it is in all of our best interests to get this concluded as soon as possible.

“There is a substantial amount of paperwork and documents to go through which is all part of the process to ensure the end product meets all the necessary requirements. I am optimistic that we shall have a sound plan when the process has been completed.”

Under the proposals, Alcester would be obligated to provide 450 new homes by 2031 and of those homes 35 per cent of them would be required to be affordable properties.

After the examination ends the planning inspector will write a report, which may result in changes to the core strategy.

For more information visit www.stratford.gov.uk/examination.