Concerns over parking and traffic movement dominated discussions over the development at Castle Farm by Kenilworth Town Council's planning committee.

The planning committee met yesterday (March 18) to discuss the two planning applications that could see millions invested in new leisure facilities for Kenilworth.

However, no decision to object nor support either application was made, after the town council was advised by Warwick District Council that significant extra information was to be added to the applications.

As such KTC agreed only to discuss the proposals and await further information before making any substantive comment.

Yesterday's meeting began with a discussion of the development at Castle Farm Recreation Centre - details of the planning application can be found here.

Whilst issues surrounding cycling access, energy usage, design, and the environment were all raised, the biggest talking point regarding the application was transport and parking provision.

Speaking at last night's meeting Cllr Andrew Milton (Lib Dem, St John's) said: "I think it is difficult I think to accept that the traffic assessment that we have on this is robust," noting that the weather, the affects of Covid and a lack of consideration of the Wardens' use of Castle Farm had affected the traffic management assessment.

He continued: "it did seem to indicate that there were an additional 500 plus movements per day, which I think is getting to the point that gets to an unacceptable impact on the residents in that area."

Cllr Kate Dickson (Lib Dem, Borrowell) agreed and added that considerations need to be given to the Highways Agency objection which has raised concerns over coach movements down Fishponds Road and Brookside Avenue.

Cllr Graham Hyde (Lib Dem, Borrowell) said: "traffic is clearly the big issue, it is a fundamental requirement that there is enough parking to cope with the demand."

The application from WDC has provisions for: "a car park to the north east of the building. The existing car park is to be redeveloped and extended to provide a total of 198 vehicle spaces, comprising 115 standard bays, 10 family bays, 11 accessible bays, and an overflow area, to the north, capable of accommodating 54 standard bays, or 42 standard bays and two coach spaces."

Concerns over energy usage were also raised, particularly with regard to Warwickshire District Council's pledge to be net carbon zero by 2025, as the planning application has said that this will not be possible for the Castle Farm redevelopments.

Cllr Rob Barry (Green, Park Hill) said: "To me these sentences show the complete disconnect between the pledge and the actual working intention of the applicant.

"To me, that disconnect could have indicated earlier on that they should have gone back to the drawing board with this application. They're indicating that it will be 8% improvement on the 2013 building regulations.

"So if they are saying that they have done all they can to make an environmentally sound building then we have a major problems on our hands if this is what they can achieve."

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