A Kenilworth councillor has raised concerns about the increased traffic along a busy town centre road that could be furthered by a new residential development.

Warwick District Council's planning committee last night (March 28) gave unanimous approval for plans turn the Peacock Hotel into four houses and five apartments.

But Cllr Richard Dickson said it was the latest in a number of schemes that were causing increased frustration for motorists.

"This is going to be a further development of Warwick Road, and I have seen a number of those since I have been on this committee…all of which is adding additional traffic onto that road and causing increased congestion," he told the committee. 

"I just wonder whether it's reasonable to require that, when exiting the site, drivers are required to turn left and not turn right and cause chaos on Warwick Road?"

An artist's impression of the front of the development (image via planning application)

But council development manager Sandip Sahota said it was not reasonable to add this as a condition.

"Having mind to the fact that it is replacing a 37-bed hotel, you could argue that the intensity of development is reducing," he said.

Cllr Dickson replied saying the hotel is not necessarily full, whereas all nine homes are likely to be occupied be people likely to travel by car.

After a short discussion councillors gave their backing to the scheme which will see the hotel and no. 151 demolished and replaced with two three-bedroom detached houses and a pair of semi-detached three-bedroom homes, all built fronting onto Warwick Road.

To the rear, the hotel's outbuildings would be demolished and replaced with five two-bedroom apartments and parking spaces.

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