Blackdown: Our vision 
for a new community

The site is located on land to the north of Leamington Spa, just off Leicester Lane and Sandy Lane, in close proximity to North Leamington School.

The site is currently arable land.

The land has been identified as a potential location for new homes in the emerging South Warwickshire Local Plan – a joint planning strategy being prepared by Warwick District Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council. In the Preferred Options stage of the plan, it is listed as a potential location for new homes (Strategic Growth Location SG06).

Its proximity to Royal Leamington Spa means it is close to existing services, schools and transport links. Proximity to key roads also means the site can be accessed safely and efficiently, supporting both new and existing communities.

The proposals include up to 1200 high-quality new homes, with green spaces, community areas and improved connectivity. The development will provide a mix of housing types, including affordable homes, ensuring that first-time buyers, families, and older residents all have access to suitable housing options.

We recognise the importance of ensuring that new development is supported by appropriate infrastructure. As part of the planning process, we will be working closely with Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council to assess where investment is needed. Potential contributions may include:

• Highways improvements to support the local road network.
• Enhancements to walking and cycling routes to encourage sustainable travel.
• Investment in education, healthcare, and local services to support both existing and new residents.
• Upgrades to utility infrastructure, such as water, drainage and energy networks, to ensure the site is well-served.

Before applying for planning permission, we assess local services like roads, schools and healthcare. We then work with the council and service providers to agree what improvements are needed. If the development is approved, funding for these improvements is secured through legal agreements and delivered as the project progresses.

Yes. 50% of the homes on the site will be designated as affordable housing. These could include a mix of homes for social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and other low-cost options such as First Homes. The exact type and mix will be agreed in consultation with the council as the plans progress.

We are committed to delivering a development that respects and enhances the natural environment. The proposals will include:

• Retaining and protecting existing habitats wherever possible.
• A biodiversity net gain (BNG) strategy, ensuring that more wildlife-friendly habitats are created than currently exist on the site.
• New green spaces and landscaping to improve the local environment.
• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to manage surface water and reduce flood risk.

We are committed to open and transparent engagement with the local community. You can share your thoughts through our online survey and interactive map, which let you comment directly on different parts of the site, from new walking routes and green spaces to ideas for what the local centre could include.

We’re particularly keen to hear your views on:

• What facilities, shops or community spaces you’d like to see in the local centre
• How the green spaces could best be used — such as for play, sport, food growing or nature
• Any ideas for improving connections to surrounding areas

The project is still in its early stages, with an outline planning application expected to be submitted in 2026. This will establish the overall principles for the development, but won’t include detailed designs for individual buildings.

If outline planning permission is granted, there will be further opportunities for community input as part of a future reserved matters application. This will set out the precise details of the plans, including detailed design. Construction would only begin once those later approvals are in place.

The construction timeline will depend on the final approved plans and will depend on Warwick District Council’s timescales for determination. Development is likely to take place over a number of years. Construction would only begin once a reserved matters planning permission is secured.

The proposals will deliver a range of economic, social, and environmental benefits, including:

• High-quality new homes, including affordable housing to meet local needs.
• The provision of a new community hub.
• Investment in local infrastructure, including transport, education and healthcare.
• Biodiversity and green space improvements, ensuring a well-designed and sustainable development.

Established for over 20 years, Richborough is at the forefront of the UK’s strategic land promotion industry. We use a responsible approach to design and secure planning permission for high quality residential and commercial developments.

Our approach ensures that our masterplans and design legacies can be easily delivered by developers enhancing communities for generations to come.