Plans to build 620 houses along Glasshouse Lane were approved by councillors who were told they could not consider the environmental impact of the new estate.

Members tried to defer making a decision on the application at last night's (November 9) Warwick District Council planning meeting saying there was not enough information regarding the sustainability of the new properties.

Speaking on behalf of Kenilworth Town Council - which objected to the scheme - Cllr Peter Jones described the energy efficiency plans as "poor practice and illogical".

"We think they are setting the bar too low. A lack of ambition will lead to a disappointing result," he added.

But members were told by legal officer Gary Fisher that sustainability was not relevant and that all sustainability matters had been agreed when outline planning permission was granted.

He said: "This is part of the jigsaw; it is one of the approvals that is needed in order for this development to proceed.

"Issues around sustainability are another part of the jigsaw, they don't form part of the reserved matters and are therefore not before members this evening."

He added: "The fact that is cannot be considered as part of the reserved matters does not mean it is not important, it is clearly incredibly important."

Councillors then voted against deferring the decision.

Work has already begun on five showhomes on site (Image by James Smith)

Transparency

The debate on sustainability had followed an earlier discussion on the transparency of the scheme which had been put forward by the council's own housing company.

The major development is a joint venture between Vistry Linden and Milverton Homes - WDC's own housing company.

Before councillors considered any planning concerns, they excluded the public from the meeting to discuss whether the application was being handled appropriately.

Cllr James Kennedy questioned: "Why does it not state at the top that this application is being made on behalf of a company in which Warwick District Council - we - have a very large pecuniary interest?"

He added: "When we normally consider applications that are by the district council it is clearly stated that the district council is making the application. 

"For the sake of transparency and for public accountability we make that very clear in our deliberations. Why has that not been done in this case?"

Following a 20-minute private session of "intense debate", councillors agreed to a statement which made the council's £60 million investment in the project clear.

Permission Granted

Speaking in support of the scheme planning director Sian Griffiths said the new estate will be the "start of a new community".

"One which over time will over time offer safe routes to school, genuine travel choices for commuters, genuine places to relax, play, enjoy a walk, places for biodiversity to flourish and places to grow food," she said. 

"This scheme will contribute one of the most significant community infrastructure sums the council has ever seen - around £19.5million in section 106 contributions as well as around £1 million in CIL payments."

And after nearly two hours of debate, Cllr Oliver Jacques proposed the application be granted.

"I hope other members of the committee have been able to scrutinise this on planning terms only and as such I sense that there is not an argument that has been put forward to reject the application on planning grounds only," he said.

Councillors eventually approved the scheme by a split decision.