A Kenilworth councillor has called for local residents to be given more information on the planned housing developments for Kenilworth School's former sites in the town.

In September 2023 Kenilworth School moved from Rouncil Lane and Leyes Lane to the new multi-million-pound facility on Glasshouse Lane.

The move leaves the two sites ready for Warwick District Council (WDC) to develop into new homes.

And while public information events have previously been held by the local authority, Cllr Richard Dickson asked cabinet members last week for an update.

"It is now 15 months since the council held, with Atkins global, a community engagement event where local residents in Kenilworth could find out more about the planned housing development on the Kenilworth School sixth form site on Rouncil Lane," the Liberal Democrat councillor said. 

"It is also nearly nine months since the eyesore of heras fencing was installed around the site of the sixth form after it was vacated by Kenilworth School last summer. 

"Can you please update members, when is it scheduled that formal development plans for this affordable homes development site in Kenilworth will be brought forward for consideration. 

"And when will the next round of public consultation take place."

The Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane sites have been vacant since last summer (image by James Smith)

Deputy council leader Cllr Chris King said he would come back with a detailed response.

Cllr Dickson was also told negotiations with developers are "now more complex" as the council looks to raise the level of energy efficiency required in new build homes across the district.

In February, the council's site delivery officer Becky Burridge told residents at the community forum meeting there were several key decisions that still need to be made.

"It is a decision for our cabinet as to what happens with the sites," she explained at the time. 

"Whether the council develops itself, whether they are sold to a mainstream developer; there are decisions that need to be made about how the sites are going to be built out, and that will determine what is built. 

"The intention has always been, they want exemplar sites that are net zero carbon. 

"But obviously the development has to be viable - it has to be a balancing act."

Ms Burridge said the applications are expected "sooner rather than later".

She also hinted a community use building could be included at the Leyes Lane site - something locals had put forward during the consultation - but said none of the existing buildings at Rouncil Lane are likely to be retained.

None of the buildings at Rouncil Lane are expected to be kept (image by James Smith)