The approval of plans to turn Talisman Square's car park in flats and shops is "not the Christmas present the town wanted" - local councillors have said.

Liberal Democrats in Kenilworth have labelled the news "disappointing" after years of campaigning against the development.

Having seen its original planning application refused by Warwick District Council (WDC), developer Cobalt Estates has won its planning appeal to build the block of 43 apartments and two shops.

A planning inspector said the development would not have an adverse impact on the appearance of the town centre, and said the loss of the car park would not be a problem for shoppers.

But local Lib Dems did not agree with the decision.

An artist's impression of what the new flats could look like (image via Advent PR)

"This is obviously very disappointing news and not the Christmas present that the town wanted, despite our best endeavours and those of local residents and shop operators to get a different outcome," a statement said.

"Many people will disagree strongly with the inspector's assessment of the massing and carparking impact but, to be fair, there is acknowledgement in the report that it's a matter of judgement.

"The challenge now is to make the development work for the benefit of residents, visitors and local businesses.

"The inspector has added several useful conditions to the planning consent e.g. re carparking, noise protection and Biodiversity Net Gain.

"We shall be working with Warwick District Council to make sure that these are properly monitored and that the developer is held to account.

"We look forward also to the developer ensuring a regular flow of communications with local stakeholders and easy access to site management so that as issues arise during the development (as inevitably they always do) these can be promptly dealt with."

The new block will be built over the car park in Talisman Square (image by Nub News)

Around 140 local residents objected to the original planning application, with Kenilworth Town Council also objecting to it.

Campaigners also tried - and failed - to have the square labelled as an asset of community value to try and block the development.

Following the decision, Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, the developers of Talisman Shopping Centre, said: "We are very pleased with the planning inspectorate's decision to allow the appeal on this scheme.

"We have been investors in Kenilworth for more than 20 years through the development of Talisman Shopping Centre, which modernised much of the site originally developed in the 1970s and brought key businesses such as Waitrose into Kenilworth.        

"This new development will provide much-needed housing in Kenilworth as well as adding further variety to the retail offer, and will directly benefit the community by encouraging people to live in and visit the town centre.

"The delays to the scheme were regrettable, but we are now looking forward to bringing this project forward for the benefit of Kenilworth following this decision."

See the full report here.