Cllr Josh Payne, serving Cubbington & Leek Wootton

17/09/2026

****SEGRO COUNTRY PARK UPDATE****

I've been informed SEGRO Country Park may be open in a few weeks' time, though this is an optimistic estimate. Litter bins, toilet facilities and health and safety requirements are being provided and addressed.

After work I visited the Park's proposed entrance at the A45 end, on the London Road, behind Middlemarch Business Park. As you can tell from the selfie, the reed beds are extensive and there was plenty of birdsong. The trail should stretch for a very long way, 'behind' the Middlemarch Business Park. Sadly, at this potential starting point there's only a bank of earth and barriers, at the moment...

Warwick District Council was willing to provide funds for a bridge across the River Avon, potentially linking the new SEGRO Country Park with Ryton Pools in an integrated route. Longer term, from my visit this evening, there's clearly potential for extra connectivity with Brandon Marsh nature reserve. I still believe the bridge project was a missed opportunity - it would have galvanised SEGRO into improving its Country Park offering, which involves a huge site and could be something really special....we need a long-term strategy for our local nature.

When it does open, car parking looks like it will be very limited initially - the bridge project could have provided real momentum to really get the best from this exciting new Park....

16/09/2026

****STANDING UP FOR CUBBINGTON & LEEK WOOTTON****

SECURING THE AREA'S FUTURE - A BETTER, FAIRER DEAL FOR ALL

Following some discussions with other parties, I have decided I can best represent Cubbington and Leek Wootton as an Independent councillor. For two years I was the sole Liberal Democrat councillor in the County Council division and inevitably had to use my own judgement on a range of matters. I shall, therefore, be standing next May as an Independent councillor. I believe many of the challenges the area will face over the next few years can - in the circumstances - best be addressed by a local councillor who is not party-affiliated.

My programme can be summarised with four key pledges and principles:

1. More autonomy and more funding for our rural, more isolated areas. Our villages should decide their own future - but first of all *everyone* in each community must feel their voice is heard and valued. Cubbington and Leek Wootton ought to have benefited directly from an LGI project (e.g. at Stoneleigh/Stareton Park) and there's still scope for funds to be reallocated, if the current projects don't succeed.

2. Connect the needs of people with the needs of place, for instance, by supporting ventures such as community-run, social enterprise shops. Where possible, there should be mechanisms (e.g. dedicated feedback forms) for residents to contact WDC directly. That way services should improve quicker when there is room for improvement.

3. Genuine *long-term* solutions, where answers and strategies actually reflect the challenges the area faces, avoiding short-term 'quick fixes'.

4. Accountability: proper accountability at the County Council, so that dangerous junctions are addressed finally and decisively. HS2 must be accountable as its work progresses around Stoneleigh and Cubbington.

16/09/2026

****REGULATION 19 CONSULTATION****

At Warwick District Council, I spoke and voted against the draft South Warwickshire Local Plan. My submission for the Regulation 19 consultation reflects the reasons I voted against. I've submitted that the Plan, as drafted, is not sound because it is ineffective. In particular I have argued:

1. The Plan is insufficiently 'infrastructure led' and needed to stress which infrastructure could be most feasibly afforded and delivered.
2. The approach to infrastructure needs around major housing developments is incoherent and introduces tensions which haven't been resolved. Speculative housing applications (such as Caddick Land at Leek Wootton) come with their own infrastructure requirements and the Plan doesn't take adequate account of these. It is therefore rushed.
3. The Coventry Airport Policy (Cov2) concentrates too much manufacturing and logistics units in one place in the District, especially given prior planning approvals, with insufficient discussion of mitigations for Baginton and Stoneleigh.

Adoption of the Plan is not yet a certainty and the Inspector must still review and approve it. I shall continue advocating for our area and representing its needs to the very best of my ability.

16/09/2026

Good to be out-and-about in Bubbenhall yesterday. The weather was just right. Since 2023, I've campaigned for better services for the rural parts of the District. One issue I've championed is the work of the community wardens team - and ensuring they're visible and active in the more remote areas and villages. Bubbenhall is a highly attractive place and, sadly, more still needs to be done to deter dog fouling on its outskirts. I shall keep up the pressure on this - please keep our area clean for al those who enjoy it.

15/09/2026

Pleasant day out visiting local businesses in the ward. It was great news earlier this year that The Three Horseshoes succeeded with its planning appeal. Very attractive new frontage at a first class local pub. Also fantastic to see Smith's Garden Centre and Cafe busy and thriving - thank you for the coffees which we enjoyed. At Warwick District Council I frequently speak up for our small businesses and I shall continue to do so.

13/09/2026

Very promising and exciting new grants fund at WDC, available for green projects throughout the District. Please consider circulating and applying, if you have a biodiversity of climate change idea you're pursuing. I can help with the process.

Applications close at the end of this month for our Community Climate and Nature Fund, with funding available up to £10,000 for projects that will create a greener and more resilient district.

We're seeking to fund community projects from registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CIC), schools, town and parish councils and not-for-profit groups that meet one or more of the following five aims:

1⃣ Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
2⃣ Adapting and building resilience to climate change
3⃣ Conserving and enhancing biodiversity
4⃣ Reducing waste, increasing recycling or supporting the circular economy
5⃣ Research which enables access to more significant funding applications

Read more, and share it with any group, council or school that may wish to apply: https://orlo.uk/hB9Wq

07/09/2026

At Warwick District Council I spoke and voted against the draft South Warwickshire Plan. I shall be submitting a considered response to the Regulation 19 Consultation before the deadline tomorrow night. I still oppose the draft based on lack of soundness: it should be infrastructure-led with a much more structured approach.

07/09/2026

***CADDICK LAND UPDATE***
I've been mindful that lack of progress is causing uncertainty and frustration for Leek Wootton. Having pressed the planning department at WDC for an update, they anticipate, unfortunately, that even further time is needed before a decision is reached, or (as is likely) the application is referred to the planning committee. Their feedback is that more information is still needed from consultees, and planning procedures for large residential developments have become more complex owing to new government rules. I've insisted that a regular briefing is provided for the District Councillors so that there's as much clarity as possible for all Leek Wootton residents, with a regular flow of information. Again - objections will need to be very carefully focused to prevent this development. Please do pass on to me any views, thoughts and objections you have.

07/09/2026

Disappointing to learn that JLR is planning redundancies, which will impact on the Whitley South Site. This recent announcement by will be deeply concerning and worrying for many staff and their families. When speaking at recent planning committee meetings, I argued strongly that we cannot be complacent about local jobs and the economy in Warwick District. This news reinforces the need for alternative, well-paying local jobs. I shall continue to make this argument. Local jobs growth genuinely matters - we do need sites which provide these, taking into account appropriate mitigations for affected villages.

07/09/2026

Don't miss your chance and opportunity to comment. The deadline is tomorrow.

The South Warwickshire Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation closes tomorrow, Tuesday 8 September 2026.

Your responses to this consultation should specifically address whether the draft Plan is legally compliant and sound, and whether the draft Plan meets the four key tests:

1⃣ Positively prepared
2⃣ Justified
3⃣ Effective
4⃣ Consistent with National Planning Policy

Find out what this means and how you can respond on our website - https://orlo.uk/GqWDs