6,700 Homes Planned Near Shakespeare's Ancestral Farm

A significant new town, planned to include 6,700 homes and accommodate 16,000 residents, is proposed for development near Mary Arden's Farm, the ancestral home of William Shakespeare's mother. This sprawling project would occupy 329 hectares of green belt land, an area equivalent to 460 football pitches, situated between Wilmcote and Bearley. Residents express outrage, fearing the development will irrevocably shatter their rural tranquility, decimate wildlife, and overwhelm local infrastructure. They highlight existing issues such as overloaded hospitals and schools, difficulty obtaining dentist appointments, and ongoing flooding problems in newer housing areas. The proposed increase in traffic on roads like the A3400 and A46 is also a major concern.

Local officials acknowledge the challenges, with Stratford District Council struggling to meet government-mandated five-year housing land supply requirements. Recent changes to national planning policy have intensified this pressure, doubling the annual housing target for the district. The council is working on an action plan, expected to be submitted in December 2026, which includes approximately 5,600 planning applications for new houses. However, residents and parish councils argue that these plans prioritize developer interests over the sustainability of the area and the preservation of its heritage and rural character, particularly concerning the impact on the Grade I-listed Mary Arden's Farm.