Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) has once again objected to plans to demolish the Woodside Hotel to make way for a block of flats and 43 houses.

Councillors last year raised a number of concerns around developer Vistry's previous plans for the Glasshouse Lane site, before the planning application was rejected by Warwick District Council (WDC).

District planners had recommended the previous scheme be approved, but the planning committee unanimously refused to grant permission.

However, Vistry has now resubmitted its previous application - but with an additional energy and sustainability statement.

While much of the previous designs have been kept, the developer now says it will use more energy efficient materials, install heat pumps and solar panels across the units, as well as EV chargers.

But KTC has once again objected to the development, again raising a number of issues with the scheme.

"There is no proven housing need for this additional development on the East side of Kenilworth," the objection said.

It added: "The quality and design of the houses appear very standard.

"The recent NPPF introduced the word 'beauty' into such designs.

"That does not appear to have been considered here, particularly taking into account these properties may be replacing a beautiful heritage asset."

Town councillors also raised concerns around the loss of trees, lack of detail about cycling routes and claims the hotel is no longer commercially viable.

"A further consultation should be undertaken to fully understand the additional need these houses would bring for services within the town, i.e., GP surgeries and dentists etc," the objection said.

"Local circumstances have changed in recent years and any previous consultation can no longer be considered reflective of the current position."

The Woodside Hotel has been closed since 2020 (image via planning application)

The developer says it has looked at converting the hotel - which has been closed since 2020 - into the apartment block.

But it said this would be too expensive, and the 12 flats would not reach a sufficient energy standard.

Vistry also said there was no prospect of the Woodside reopening.

"The hotel was stripped and vandalised, and is presently in a poor state of repair," the application added. 

"Therefore, the hotel is now at a point where it would be uneconomical to make the required refurbishments to reopen as a hotel."

Plans also said the loss of the former manor house would be outweighed by the "benefits of the proposal, and a programme of historic recording can be achieved by condition".

Vistry added: "The application aims to provide a scheme that is well integrated and harmonises with the neighbouring context, landscape and the local area, generally in terms of density, scale, layout, access, and appearance, without detracting from the historic and natural charm of the town."

The proposed layout for the new development (image via planning application)

While Vistry has already been given prior approval to flatten the site, locals and councillors have continued to speak against its redevelopment.

Last May an application to demolish the 74-bed Woodside was thrown out by WDC on biodiversity grounds.

The site was subsequently sold to Vistry who are currently building 620 houses around the hotel.

See the full application here.

If approved, the block of lfats would include 12 new homes (image via planning application)