Plans to create a "green corridor" between Kenilworth and Coventry have been met with scepticism by town councillors worried about the knock-on impact of the scheme.

District councillor Kyn Aizlewood has put together the proposal which he wants to see included in the new South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) - a major planning document which will decide where some 35,000 houses are built locally over the next 25 years.

The plans would set land aside for a new country park and 'nature recovery corridor' running to the north of the HS2 line.

This would include pockets of woodland around Kenilworth and Burton Green.

Plans state: "It is essential that a new local plan is agreed and is one that balances an ambitious expectation that new homes should be built with the needs of existing communities and our wider environment. 

"This proposal offers a constructive, evidence-led response to strong community concern, green belt evidence, and examination risk - delivering biodiversity recovery, community benefit and a far more defensible local plan."

If incorporated in the SWLP, the green corridor could see the number of houses allocated to the land south of Coventry (referred to as SG01) from 6,000 to 4,000.

"The country park proposal is therefore pro-housing done well, not anti-development," the report continued.

Members at Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) discussed the plans last week, with members raising concerns about the impact it would have on the rest of south Warwickshire.

Councillors also pointed out the proposals claim KTC had objected to SG01 being in the local plan, which they said was not the case.

"Wherever this goes, it is a matter for the district council and the team pulling together the South Warwickshire Local Plan," Cllr Andrew Milton explained. 

"My big concern is it might look very attractive to us, but there is one big thing in there which is there are 2,000 homes that will not be built in that location - they will not evaporate and disappear. 

"The district council is still going to need to find space for them. 

"I don't think any of our residents will thank us for being very supportive of a green corridor on the edge of Coventry, in return for 2,000 additional homes in Kenilworth if the district council decides that is where they want to put them."

Cllr Neal Eaton added: "The idea of a nature corridor is wonderful but it is not what local planning is all about. 

"We need to look at the whole issue in its context before we come to any conclusions."