Councillors have blocked plans for 140 homes off Westwood Heath Road, but were split over the decision.

Warwick District Council's planning committee narrowly voted against the application from IM Land 1 Limited, despite council officers saying the scheme should be approved.

Speaking at Wednesday's meeting (November 5), James Bonner for Turley planning agents said: "We fully support your officer's recommendation to approve this application for 140 much-needed homes - 40 per cent of which will be affordable. 

"In 2017 the site was removed from the green belt and safeguarded for development in Warwick's local plan. 

"This was justified in part by its sustainable location, close to Coventry, major employers, services and with good public transport connectivity. 

"As the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of housing, we agree with your officers that the benefits of the scheme significantly outweigh the comparatively limited harms."

His comments preceded around an hour of debate from councillors who pressed for more detail on the application.

Cllr Kennedy said: "If we were not in that position would we have a very different recommendation? 

"Are we only doing this because we don't have a five-year land supply, and therefore we are forced to accept it?"

He continued: "I don't see any evidence of what recent assessment has been done of the overall development of the land south of Coventry. 

"Clearly reading our local plan and what has happened, a lot of things have changed. 

"There are a lot of big questions there about how it fits into a comprehensive plan for that area."

Meanwhile, Cllr Bill Gifford said: "I think it is a sustainable location. 

"I am not happy with it.

"It doesn't feel me with joy, but I think we are between a rock and a hard place. 

"I think we will have to go along with the officers' recommendation."

Before councillors voted planning officer Gary Fisher warned: "If you could remember the importance of making decisions based on sound planning grounds. 

"It is the lack of the five-year housing land supply, and that engagement of the tilted balance which means that members have to think about this in a way that is different."

But ultimately the application was refused with councillors split five to four.