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Local Plan evidence base

Introduction

This page publishes documents which form the evidence base for the proposed Pre-Submission version of the local plan. The evidence is being published now (December 2025), principally for the information of Cabinet and Council. Cabinet and Council will consider a report in January 2026 which will seek approval to commence public consultation on this latest version of the plan.

The opportunity to provide feedback on the emerging local plan and the evidence base will be provided in the period of public consultation (see potential dates below), subject to the approval of Council. Therefore, we are not inviting feedback at this time, and any received outside of the public consultation period may not be considered.

The timetable for decision-making is summarised below: 

What is happening? When is it happening?


Publication of Cabinet report, including the Pre-Submission (Regulation 19) Local Plan. The evidence documents on this page support this. 

 19 December 2025 


Cabinet meeting – to consider the report and make a recommendation to Council. 

 06 January 2026 


Council meeting – to decide whether to commence public consultation on the Pre-Submission Local Plan. 

 21 January 2026 


Public consultation period (subject to the decision of Council) 

 26 January 2026 – 09 March 2026 

 

The following evidence has informed the Pre-Submission Local Plan put forward for the consideration of Cabinet and Council in January 2026.  

Development needs

Document Description Date completed
Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) Report  The HEDNA provides an assessment of the need for housing, economic growth potential and employment land across Coventry & Warwickshire. It considers the scale of overall housing need, the need for different types of homes, and the state of the housing market, as well as the broader economic dynamics and growth potential of the sub-region.  November 2022 


Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) Executive Summary 

 This document provides a summary of the HEDNA report described above.  November 2022 


West Midlands Strategic Employment Sites Study (WMSESS) Report 

 This is a study of strategic employment sites across much of the West Midlands. It provides recommendations about the number and type of sites required to support the continued economic growth of the region.   August 2024 


HEDNA – WMSESS Alignment Paper 

 This paper addresses the overlaps between the aforementioned HEDNA and WMSESS to provide aligned recommendations about employment land needs.  November 2024 


HEDNA – WMSESS Alignment Paper Addendum 

 This report summarises the key issues arising from a review of representations made regarding the HEDNA-WMSESS Alignment Paper and sets out key issues requiring further consideration.  November 2025 


Homes-Jobs Alignment Paper 

 This paper considers the alignment between homes and jobs with the findings of the strategic Housing Market Area evidence.  December 2025 


Office Needs Assessment Update 

 This assessment reviews and updates the findings of the HEDNA in relation to office space needs.  November 2025 


Gypsy and Traveller, Travelling Showperson and Houseboat Accommodation Assessment 

 This assessment identifies the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers, travelling showpeople and houseboat occupants, and makes recommendations for how this need can be met through planning policy.  February 2025 


Gyspy and Traveller Supply Position Note 

 Outlines the identified supply of Gyspy and Traveller pitches for the new local plan period.  December 2025 


Development Needs Topic Paper 

 This paper provides a summary of the Council’s position on the future development needs of the borough with a focus on housing and employment land.  December 2025 


Whole Plan Trajectory (Detailed) 

 This document outlines the trajectory for housing development across the new local plan period. It is a more detailed version of the trajectory that is presented in Appendix 1 of the plan.  December 2025 

 

 

 

Strategic assessments

Document Description Date completed


Sustainability Appraisal Report 

 This document identifies reasonable alternative spatial options capable of delivering the borough’s housing and employment needs.  December 2025 (to follow) 


Local Plan Viability Study 

 This report tests the ability of developments to accommodate policies outlined in the Pre-Submission plan alongside prevailing rates of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), as well as alternative contributions towards community infrastructure through a range of Section 106 contributions.  December 2025 


Infrastructure Delivery Schedule 

 The Infrastructure Delivery Schedule specifies what infrastructure is required to support development and outlines how it will be provided.  December 2025 


Green Belt Contribution Study: Strategic Assessment 

 This study assesses the contribution that Green Belt land within the Borough makes to the five Green Belt purposes as defined by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).    October 2025 


Green Belt Contribution Study: Stage 2 Site Contribution Assessments 

 Following on from the Strategic Assessment, this second stage Green Belt study provides more detailed analysis of land within sites that are being promoted for development.   December 2025 


Strategic Transport Assessment 

 This document assesses the impact of various growth scenarios on the key transport corridors and locations for all modes of transport across the borough.  December 2025 


Strategic Transport Assessment Non-Technical Summary 

 This document provides a brief non-technical summary of the Strategic Transport Assessment’s methodology and key findings.  December 2025 


Strategic Transport Assessment Addendum 

 This STA addendum documents the effect that the proposed Regulation 19 submission sites will have on the operation of the transport network inclusive of the revised plan period (running to 2042).  December 2025 


Strategic Transport Assessment South West Rugby Employment Sensitivity Test 

 Further transport analysis in response to amendments to the development quantum planned for the South-West Rugby Employment Phase II site.  December 2025 


Rural Sustainability Study Report 

 This document reports the results of a study of the borough’s rural settlements. It records the access that each settlement has to services and facilities, public transport and the internet, then ranks their sustainability based on this information.  December 2024 


Urban Capacity Study Report 

 This study seeks to quantify the potential for accommodating new homes on land and buildings within the built-up area of Rugby.   November 2025 


Urban Capacity Study Proformas 

 This document contains the proformas for all of the sites considered within the Urban Capacity Study.  November 2025 

 

Site selection

Document Description Date completed


Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) 

Appendix 4, Proformas 

Appendix 5, Maps 

 The HELAA is a technical report that provides information on the range of sites which are available to meet the need for housing and employment land. The assessment covers sites put forward by landowners and those identified by officers through desktop review.  December 2025 


Housing and Economic Land Availability (HELAA) Addendum  

 This addendum covers 11 additional potential development allocation sites plus four Gypsy and Traveller pitch sites. These sites were either submitted by promoters after the original Call for Sites or have subsequently been modified since the HELAA was produced.     October 2025  


Stage 2 Site Assessment Report 

 This document reports on the detailed assessment of sites identified in the HELAA as not being developable without changes to policy. The assessments are primarily composed of technical analyses of constraints and opportunities.  December 2025 


Spatial Strategy and Site Selection Methodology Summary 

 

 This document summarises the stages undertaken for the site selection process and development of reasonable alternative spatial strategy options. December 2025 


Green Belt Exceptional Circumstances Topic Paper

 This topic paper sets out the council’s position on exceptional circumstances justifying changes to Green Belt boundaries.  December 2025 


Transport Network Analysis Methodology Note 

Site Ranking by Congestion Level 

Baseline Data Tables 

Baseline vs BSIP Measures Data Tables 

 These documents provide an initial assessment of the transport network implications resulting from the delivery of potential development sites identified by the Council through the "call for sites" process.  February 2025 

Centres

Document Description Date completed


Retail and Town Centre Uses Study Report 

Appendix 1, Study Area 

Appendix 2, Household Survey Results 

Appendix 3, Rugby Town Centre Healthcheck 

Appendix 4, Quantitative Retail Tables 

Appendix 5, Quantitative Leisure Tables 

Appendix 6, Proposed Boundaries 

 This study considers the need for additional retail and leisure facilities in the borough and assesses the vitality and viability of Rugby town centre.  October 2024 


Local Centres Study Report 

 This study assesses the vitality of a range of potential local centres in the borough, records opportunities for their improvement, and recommends which locations should be formally designated as centres within the local plan’s settlement hierarchy.  September 2024 

Climate and environment

Document Description Date completed


Ecological Constraints Assessment 

 This report assesses the ecological constraints at 53 ecologically sensitive HELAA sites, identifies potential impacts of development, and outlines recommendations for mitigating impacts.   October 2025 


Ecological Constraints Assessment, Technical Advice Note for Site 50 

 This note provides further assessment of ecological constraints at site 50 (Prologis Park Ryton West, Ryton-on-Dunsmore) which complements the information provided in the full Ecological Constraints Assessment document.   January 2025 


Ecological Constraints Assessment, Technical Advice Note for Sites 50, 71, 121, 133 and 315 

 This note provides further assessment of ecological constraints at sites 50, 71, 121, 133 and 315 which complements the information provided in the full Ecological Constraints Assessment document.  August 2025 


Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Screening Report 

 This document screens the preferred options plan to identify whether it contains any aspects which may lead to a ‘Likely Significant Effect’ at any sites deemed to be of international importance to rare and vulnerable species of birds which have been given special protection as important conservation areas.   February 2025 


Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Appropriate Assessment 

 This document provides an ‘appropriate assessment’ of the likely significant effects identified by the HRA Screening Report.  December 2025 


Renewable Energy Potential Mapping Methodology

 This document explains the methodology used to identify suitable broad locations for renewable energy development based on their technical potential.  August 2024 


Renewable Energy Analysis Map 

 This map shows the broad locations suitable for renewable energy development identified through an application of the methodology explained in the previous document.  August 2024 


Sub-regional Green Infrastructure Strategy 

 This strategy seeks to provide evidence to support the preparation of plans, policies and strategies relating to Green Infrastructure within the sub-region of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. It specifies how Green Infrastructure can be delivered with the help of landholders and other relevant stakeholders.  August 2024 


Net Zero Evidence Report 

 This document provides evidence that justifies the proposed policy on net zero carbon buildings. November 2025 


Net Zero Evidence - Carbon Budget Assessment 

 This document explores whether Policy CL1 can be demonstrated to be necessary in order for Rugby to remain in line with its net zero ambition.  August 2025 

Heritage and landscape

Document Description Date completed


Heritage Assessment 

 This document assesses the potential heritage impacts of development at 30 sites where designated heritage assets are present or in close proximity.  December 2025 


Landscape Character Assessment 

 This assessment identifies and explains the unique combination of elements and features that distinguish the landscapes found within the borough.   January 2025 


Landscape Sensitivity Assessments, Larger Sites 

 This document assesses the resilience or robustness of landscapes to potential changes arising from development proposals. It is intended to help decision makers understand how landscapes may be affected. The focus is on 33 larger sites/groups of sites.  March 2025 


Landscape Sensitivity Assessments, Larger Sites, Post-mitigation Assessments 

 This document re-assesses the landscape sensitivity of eight large sites (73, 96, 121, 130, 253, 316, 325, 328) in light of additional landscape evidence submitted by site promoters.  December 2025 


Landscape Sensitivity Assessments, Smaller Sites 

 This document assesses the resilience or robustness of landscapes to potential changes arising from development proposals. It is focused on 64 smaller sites and was produced in-house by RBC planning officers.  November 2025 


Validation of Landscape Sensitivity Assessments, Smaller Sites 

 This document provides an independent review of the Landscape Sensitivity Assessments that were conducted by RBC planning officers.  December 2025 


Rainsbrook Valley Landscape Sensitivity Assessment

 This document reports on an assessment of the landscape sensitivity of the Rainsbrook Valley.  December 2025 


Areas of Separation Study Report

 This study assesses areas between Rugby town and its nearby villages, identifying the boundaries and characteristics of potential ‘areas of separation’.   November 2025 

Water

Document Description Date completed


Stage 1 Water Cycle Study Report 

Appendix A10, Water Quality Maps 

Appendix A11, A3 Mapping Pack 

 This study assesses the impacts that future development within the sub-region of Coventry & Warwickshire could have on water supply, wastewater collection and treatment and water quality. It is required to assess the constraints and requirements that will arise from potential growth on the water infrastructure.  August 2024 


Stage 2 Water Cycle Study Report 

 This study assesses the impact that several potential growth scenarios in Rugby borough could have on the water infrastructure and water environment of the sub-region. It is more focused than the prior Stage 1 study.  December 2025 


Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) Report 

Appendix A, Interactive Flood Mapping 

Appendix B, Data Sources 

Appendix C, User Guide 

Appendix D, Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings 

Appendix E, Summary of Flood Risk 

Appendix F, Cumulative Impact Assessment 

 This report provides a robust evidence base on flood risk in the borough. It is intended to assist in the management of this risk by informing decisions, including the selection of sites for development and formation of planning policies.  October 2022 


Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) Report 

 The Level 2 SFRA provides detailed assessments of eight sites identified as having significant flood risk and/or access and egress issues.  To be published before 21 January 2026 


Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) Sequential Test Report 

 This document applies the flood risk sequential test to allocations made by the local plan.  To be published before 21 January 2026 

Wellbeing

Document Description Date completed


Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy, Assessment Report 

 This report presents a supply and demand assessment of playing pitch and outdoor sport facilities in the area. July 2023 


Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy 

 This document presents a strategy for the provision of playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities across the borough, including: a vision for the protection, improvement and development of provision; a series of sport-by-sport recommendations; and prioritised area-by-area and site-by-site action plans.  July 2023 


Note on Calculation of Playing Pitch Costs 

 This document explains how the playing pitch costs that are set out in the appendices of the Pre-Submission Local Plan have been calculated.  October 2025 


Open Space Quality Audit Report

Executive Summary 

Drawing 1, Open Spaces 

Drawing 2, Quality Audit 

Drawing 3, Value Audit 

Drawing 4, Indices of Multiple Deprivation and Quality 

Drawing 5, Indices of Multiple Deprivation and Value 

 

This report assesses the quality and value of open spaces across the borough. It recommends standards to be pursued and makes recommendations for how poor quality and low value open spaces can be improved. 

 March 2025 


Open Space Study Report 

 Incorporating the results of the quality audit provided above, this study quantifies the current provision of open space across the borough, proposes updated open space standards, and applies these standards to identify areas of deficiency.  December 2025 

Other papers

Document Description Date completed


Equality Impact Assessment 

 An Equality Impact Assessment for the Pre-Submission Local Plan.  December 2025 


Local Plan Consultation Statement 

 This document summarises and responds to the representations made regarding the Preferred Options Consultation Document.  December 2025 


Duty to Cooperate Compliance Statement 

 This statement will demonstrate how the Council has engaged with neighbouring authorities on cross-boundary issues.  To be published before 21 January 2026 


Education Topic Paper 

 This report explains how the future need for school spaces is modelled and then presents the results with commentary on their likely implications.  December 2025 


Nationally Described Space Standards Report 

 This document reports on whether properties within developments granted planning permission over the last five years have met the Nationally Described Space Standards.   February 2025 


Houses in Multiple Occupation Topic Paper

 This topic paper provides an overview of the status, issues and impacts of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within the Rugby Borough area and the policy implications this could have.  October 2025 


Windfall Allowance Report 

 This document reports on the number of small site windfall completions recorded in the borough over the last ten years. Its purpose is to indicate whether the estimation of 50 small site windfall completions per year used for the emerging plan is accurate.  September 2025 


The Development of Rugby Borough 2011-2024 Topic Paper 

 This topic paper provides a brief overview of how Rugby Borough has changed between the years 2011 and 2024, with a broad focus on demographics, housing, the local economy and the built environment.  September 2024 

In this section:

  1. You are here: Introduction Introduction
  2. You are here: Development needs Development needs
  3. You are here: Strategic assessments Strategic assessments
  4. You are here: Site selection Site selection
  5. You are here: Centres Centres
  6. You are here: Climate and environment Climate and environment
  7. You are here: Heritage and landscape Heritage and landscape
  8. You are here: Water Water
  9. You are here: Wellbeing Wellbeing
  10. You are here: Other papers Other papers
  11. You are here: Preferred Options consultation responses Preferred Options consultation responses