Rugby Parkway

The challenge

Warwickshire County Council is promoting a new parkway station to the south-east of Rugby on the Northampton Loop Line. The station forms part of a wider package of sustainable transport improvements that are essential to support the housing and employment growth identified in the Rugby Borough Local Plan.

The project needs to balance rail operational considerations, land availability, environmental constraints and community expectations, while progressing towards planning approval in a clear and coordinated way.

What we did

Advised Warwickshire County Council on planning, property and environmental matters, acting as a strategic partner through the early development stages.

We prepared a pre-application enquiry and request for an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion to confirm the scope and level of information required for the planning application. We designed and delivered an extensive public and stakeholder engagement programme, ensuring local residents, landowners and stakeholders were informed and able to contribute to the evolving proposals.

We led ongoing pre-application discussions with the Local Planning Authority and key stakeholders, gathering feedback to shape the scheme and the supporting documentation. Working with a multidisciplinary team, we coordinated the preparation of the outline planning application, including an illustrative site plan showing the anticipated scope and form of development.

Alongside this, we advised on planning risks to inform the land acquisition strategy, ensuring decisions on land and design were closely aligned with the emerging consents strategy.

Why it worked

A structured planning strategy, supported by early EIA scoping and continuous engagement, provided clarity for decision-makers and confidence for stakeholders. Close coordination between planning, land and design avoided duplication and helped ensure that issues were addressed before becoming constraints.

By setting out a clear narrative around policy compliance, local benefits and environmental considerations, the project is better positioned to secure support and progress through planning.