Consultation on Rugby Borough Council Submission Local Plan

Site ID 73  – Lodge Farm

1. Willoughby Parish Council supports the soundness and legal compliance of the Proposed Submission Local Plan 2025– 2042 in relation to Lodge Farm.
2. The Council supports the representation made by Stand Against Lodge Farm (SALFV) to Rugby Borough Council in relation to the matter above. 
3. In line with SALFV’s representation, the Council objects to any allocation or reintroduction of Lodge Farm and supports the submitted Plan insofar as it does not allocate Lodge Farm

Policy EN3  Rainsbrook Valley landscape of heightened sensitivity

1. Willoughby Parish Council welcomes and supports Policy EN3 but requests that the designated area be extended to include the whole area of the valley within Rugby Borough’s boundary. 
2. The Incola ‘Rainsbrook Valley Landscape Sensitivity Assessment Review 2026’, commissioned by J Marine Ltd, analyses the findings in the ‘Landscape Sensitivity Assessment Rainsbrook Valley 2025’, prepared by Node for Rugby Borough Council, and notes that there are significant omissions.
3. Incola’s report concludes that the whole of the Rainsbrook Valley is of an overall High Landscape Sensitivity and may meet the criteria for consideration as part of the proposed Rainsbrook Valley Landscape of Elevated Sensitivity designation. 
4. Furthermore, both assessment reports indicate the Rainsbrook Valley within West Northamptonshire, including the southern valley sides and Barby Hill, is also of a high landscape sensitivity and may therefore be considered as an area to be afforded similar recognition within policy. 
5. Willoughby Parish Council hopes that Rugby Borough Council and West Northamptonshire Council, currently consulting on their Regulation 18 Local Plan, can work together to ensure that the beautiful, historic and unique landscape of the Rainsbrook Valley is protected, as far as possible, from any development that would destroy forever this highly susceptible area.