Plans for Kenilworth Wardens to move to the other side of town look set to take a step forward with the council considering paying out £3 million to back the project.

The community sports club has been planning to move from its current Glasshouse Lane base to Castle Farm for a number of years, but has been unable to secure a buyer for the current ground to help pay for the new ground.

But now Warwick District Council's (WDC) cabinet is set to discuss plans to spend £2.5 million of CIL (community infrastructure levy) money and £450,000 from S106 payments to buy the land and make the move possible.

This would allow 110 more houses to be built on Glasshouse Lane by the council's housing company, Milverton Homes, through its joint venture with Vistry Linden Limited.

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.

"This is only recoverable if KWSC vacate their existing site as it is secured by way of a legal charge on the land," a council report said.

"It is unlikely that the club would have any appetite to move in the short mid-term future if this move does not materialise."

It added: "Timing is therefore critical on this project and delay increases the risk of project failure significantly."

If the £3 million funding is approved, planning permission for the new sports facility at Castle Farm would need to be approved, as would approval for the new houses on Glasshouse Lane before the land purchase would actually happen.

Kenilworth Wardens would then lease the Glasshouse Lane ground back while it constructed the new pitches and clubhouse at Castle Farm.

"There is now a further challenge to the club's business plan caused by Kenilworth School and Sixth Form taking the decision to make their second all-weather pitch available for community use despite advice to the contrary from Sport England; the club are of the view that the relocation is unviable revenue wise without a 3G pitch," the report added.

The project is further complicated by the fact three land acquisitions need to be completed, and an access bridge and road built at Castle Farm before the new pitches and clubhouse can be built.

WDC's cabinet will discuss the plans next Wednesday (September 20).

If approved, officers would also review the club's business case and seek funding from the Football Foundation.

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

Milverton Homes and Vistry Linden are already part of a major housing development in Kenilworth which will see 620 houses built on Glasshouse Lane.

Vistry is also hoping to knock down the Woodside Hotel and replace it with houses.