The district council's housing company is looking set to develop Kenilworth Wardens' current ground into houses and help the club move across town to Castle Farm.

Last night (September 20) cabinet members voted unanimously in favour of a plan to spend £3 million to help the community club move from its Glasshouse Lane ground and create a new facility.

The project will then see Warwick District Council's (WDC) own housing company - Milverton Homes - develop the current ground into 110 houses through its joint venture with Vistry Linden Limited.

While councillors gave their support to the scheme, there were a number of warnings issued about the complexity of the scheme.

And the council's overview and scrutiny committee asked that a review into the management of the club and its finances be completed before the project moves ahead.

"You need clubs like Kenilworth Wardens, you need the rugby club, you need the football club, you need Castle Farm, it is all part of those jigsaws for people," said Cllr Judith Falp. 

"It is a complex site [Glasshouse Lane], it is not easy, it does flood, but I think we do need to support them."

Cllr Chris King added: "We know it is a tricky one, but I think we should be happy to support this community effort. 

"If it is successful it will be a real bonus to Kenilworth and all the residents in the district."

Wardens' Glasshouse Lane site is already allocated for housing in the local plan, and the project to see them move across town has been a long time in the works.

WDC has already forward funded £712,000 for the project, with the land allocated for housing in the local plan.

The council also agreed to fund a further £300,000 last year.

The authority will only recoup the money if the land is sold for the Wardens to move.

Planning permission will also need to be granted for the new housing estate and for the new sports ground before the project will progress.

The council will also spend up to £30,000 per year for three years on a project manager for the development.

The next stage will see £2.5 million of CIL (community infrastructure levy) money and £450,000 from S106 payments spent to buy the land and make the move possible.