Plans to build a five-storey block of flats in the centre of Kenilworth look set to be given the green light, despite the objections of locals and the town council.

Cobalt Estates has applied for permission to turn Talisman Square car park into 43 flats and two shops, as the "third and final" step in the area's redevelopment.

A previous scheme to build student accommodation and retail units had already been granted permission in 2016 but the build did not go ahead "due to the changing commercial landscape".

If approved, this latest scheme would see the building formerly home of Buyrite knocked down, and would leave the square with just 21 parking spaces to make way for the flats.

Some 143 objections have been made to the plans, which have been labelled "dark and oppressive" by locals.

Kenilworth Town Council has also objected, raising concerns about massing and saying the design "does not harmonise with the surrounding buildings".

But planning officers at Warwick District Council (WDC) have recommended the application be approved, with councillors set to discuss the scheme at next week's planning committee meeting.

"The character of the town centre is very mixed and in officers' opinion the proposal would help to regenerate and modernise this particular part of the town centre, which dates from the 1960s," a WDC report said. 

"The development would create a new active frontage to Talisman Square that would run parallel to the existing units within the shopping precinct, with a well-defined access from Station Road incorporating new signage."

District planners also said the car park had only been intended as a temporary measure, and therefore losing most of it was "acceptable".

The report also played down the concerns of locals who say the scheme will see the town lose a major community asset - particularly after the group Friends of Talisman Square has worked to make the area more attractive.

"It is noted that the planting has provided some visual amenity to the area, however, this could be removed at any time by the owner of the site without the need for permission," the report added. 

"The site as a whole is not considered to provide visual or physical amenity value."

The news comes just weeks after the town council backed plans to have the square listed an asset of community value.

The application will be discussed on Wednesday, October 11.

See the council report here.