Statement: County council’s reported response to the Rugby Borough Local Plan

A spokesperson for Rugby Borough Council said: “The consultation on the preferred options for the new Rugby Borough Local Plan closed on 19 May 2025.

"We did not receive a response from Warwickshire County Council during the consultation period. However, we are aware that a response has been posted on the county council’s website and reported in the local press. That response hasn’t yet been received by Rugby Borough Council.

"Notwithstanding that it is more than three months since the consultation period closed, if Warwickshire County Council submits a response to us, it will be considered alongside other responses. We would be willing to make an exception and accept a late response from the county council because it is an important infrastructure delivery partner. The consultation has not, however, been reopened and we do not anticipate accepting other out of time responses.

"There will be a further public consultation as part of the local plan process in early 2026. 

"Rugby Borough Council continues to gather evidence and review all responses received. We want to have the best understanding we can of the issues, including those raised by the county council. We need to ensure that the local plan can pass examination when it is scrutinised by the Planning Inspectorate.

"We would remind Warwickshire County Council that both authorities are subject to a legal duty to cooperate in maximising the effectiveness of the preparation of the local plan. We look forward to continuing the good joint working on evidence gathering that is ongoing between the two authorities. We don’t consider that it would be helpful to plan preparation to engage in a public debate on these issues outside of a formal consultation process and while evidence gathering is ongoing.”