Town councillors have maintained their objections to plans for six industrial buildings on the edge of Kenilworth, despite the designs being updated.

Kenilworth Town Council had already raised its concerns about the development off Leamington Road, describing the buildings as “not visually interesting”.

Land promoter Barwood Development Securities Ltd has since updated the plans with what it described as a “high-quality design”.

However, the town council last week agreed to maintain its objection.

“Having looked at our previous objections, I think the only one which has been addressed is the cycle provision - there is now some shared use cycle path which is an improvement,” Cllr Andrew Milton said at last week’s planning meeting. 

“But it doesn’t actually solve the problems which are generally about the fact it doesn’t line up with the requirements of the Land East of Kenilworth development brief.”

Cllr Milton also addressed public concerns that the land will be used for more housing, saying he had been told by officers at Warwick District Council (WDC) the area is still earmarked for employment purposes.

However, an actual developer for the site is still needed.

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He continued: “I suspect this is coming in now in order for them to keep their outline planning application live. 

“As far as I understand it, this application is from the land agent, rather than the developer as they don’t have a developer secured for the site. 

“Whatever happens with this, I am not expecting anything to happen soon on site.”

Cllr Neal Eaton also pointed to the fact no traffic impact assessment has been submitted.

Meanwhile Cllr David Bailey added: “We already know it is a pinch point. I would much rather see the entrance to it come from the roundabout.”

The application submitted to WDC would see six 'employment units' totalling an area of 22,000 square metres built on site.

Plans also include some 496 parking spaces, with traffic coming onto the site from the already busy Leamington Road.

When planning permission for the neighbouring Kenilworth Gate housing estate - including 550 homes and a primary school - was approved in 2021, the scheme also included the major piece of 'employment land'.

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