Warwick District Council's Riverside House headquarters is expected to be sold Homes England in the coming weeks and turned into a residential development.

Local MP Matt Western revealed a deal for the Leamington offices could be completed by the end of the month as he called on the council's leader to halt the deal.

The Labour MP for Leamington and Warwick is calling on WDC "at the 11th hour" to pause the sale to allow the new cabinet - of Green and Labour councillors - to fully discuss the decision.

Mr Western said the news had "taken me by surprise" and expects the decision "would be equally surprising to the public".

Plans to relocate council services from the Leamington offices were signed off by the previous Conservative-led council, before the new leadership was voted in during the May elections. 

Local residents were consulted on the future of the Milverton Hill building back in 2021, but Mr Western says there needs to a further consultation on the actual sale of Riverside House.

Local MP Matt Western said the sale of Riverside House should be halted (image supplied)

In a letter to council leader Cllr Ian Davison, Mr Western called on him to clarify what alternative options were considered for the site and why these were decided against - including the option of renting out the space as officers or retaining the land for council housing.

He has called on Cllr Davison to consider retaining the land for social rent council housing to address the local "housing emergency". 

"I know this revelation about the imminent sale of Riverside House will shock so many residents who will be hearing about this for the first time," Mr Western said.

"I am deeply concerned by these plans and do not believe it is in the best interests of people across Warwick, Leamington, Whitnash and the surrounding villages.  

"Cllr Ian Davison should pause these plans and open discussions for a consultation so the public can have their say on what this site should be used for." 

Part of the letter from Matt Western to Cllr Ian Davison (image supplied)

The Green-Labour coalition forced through plans to repurpose the Royal Pump Rooms' shop to create a new customer service hub earlier this year, as part of the relocation from Riverside House.

At the time Cllr Davison said it was important to make progress on the project to move from the old offices.

And following the letter from Mr Western, the councillor for Leamington Brunswick has defended the decision to sell the council's HQ.

"As Matt Western will be aware, Warwick District Council has been planning to move out or our current office at Riverside House for some years," he said.

"Since the pandemic and the adoption of remote and agile ways of working by our staff, it is no longer financially viable or sensible for us to remain at Riverside House."

Warwick District Council deputy leader and Labour member Cllr Chris King (left) with Green leader Cllr Ian Davison (image via Warwick District Council)

WDC is set to vacate Riverside House and move to offices to Saltisford in Warwick, where a lease will be taken with Warwickshire County Council for use of part of the Saltisford 1 building.

The council leader said this will save around £250,000 per year.

"The Milverton Hill site is complex to develop sensitively due to the flood plain, underground stream, magnificent beech trees etc," Cllr Davison added.

"Homes England is looking to buy the site, which is good news as it is a public body that develops difficult sites for housing.  

"They will undertake a community consultation before submitting a planning application so local people can have an input. 

"I am delighted that Homes England are committed to 40 per cent affordable housing, which is desperately needed locally, whilst enabling the council to save a quarter of a million pounds each year by moving into smaller offices. 

"Any delays incurred at this stage would seriously risk the whole process and be a massive waste of tax payers' money."