In a display of “people power,” the residents of Gaydon have successfully halted plans for a colossal commercial development at Junction 12 of the M40. Despite promises of 1,800 new jobs and the backing of automotive giant Aston Martin, Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously to refuse the application this week, siding with the local community over big business.
The proposal was immense: a hybrid application comprising over 60,000 square meters of commercial floor space, with warehouses described by councilors as being the size of “seven and a half football pitches.”
But the developers hadn’t counted on the tenacity of Gaydon.
“If Democracy Works, This Should Mean Something”
The Planning Committee heard that the opposition from the village was overwhelming. Cllr Adrian Claxton, Chair of Gaydon Parish Council, delivered a powerful speech highlighting just how united the village was against the plans.
“From a village of approximately 500 residents, you have received nearly 250 objections, which equates to almost all the adult population with only three in favor… The strength of the objection from the residents of Gaydon… If democracy works, this should mean something.”
He argued that the development would fundamentally destroy the identity of the area, warning that it would turn Gaydon “from a predominantly farming community… to a suburb of an industrial estate.”
Aston Martin: The “Stalking Horse”?
While the developers argued that the site was vital for the local economy and supported by Aston Martin Lagonda, locals were skeptical. Cllr Claxton suggested the luxury car brand was being used to push the application through, stating:
“At the 11th hour, Aston Martin was revealed as an interested party… Their good name has been used as a stalking horse to get the development through this application.”
Martin Winter, speaking on behalf of the community, reinforced the view that the development was simply in the wrong place. He told the committee:
“The very first strategic objective of the core strategy says the rural character of the district will have been maintained and enhanced… Development of this scale in this location is inappropriate. Six enormous warehouses would dwarf the size of the village and run right up to its edge.”
Councilors Agree: “Substantial Harm”
The committee members were swayed by the sheer scale of the buildings and the impact on the landscape. Cllr Trevor Harvey broke down the size of just two of the proposed units for the room:
“Units five and six together in my terms are the equivalent of almost… seven and a half football pitches… These buildings viewed from the B4100 would be enormous.”
Despite the lure of potential jobs, the committee felt the price—destroying the rural landscape—was too high. Cllr Neil Edden summed up the mood of the room before moving for refusal:
“It’s not for the people of Gaydon. I don’t think it’s for me… I’ll take the bull by the horns and propose that we go with refusal.”
The Verdict
In the end, the decision was unanimous. The committee resolved to refuse the application due to the “substantial and demonstrable harm” it would cause to the landscape.
For the residents of Gaydon, who feared their village would be swallowed by urban sprawl, it is a massive victory. It serves as a reminder to the rest of Stratford District: signing petitions and showing up to meetings really can make a difference.
