Town councillors have thrown their support behind plans to list Talisman Square as an 'asset of community value'.

Local volunteer group Friends of Talisman Square (FoTS) has applied to Warwick District Council (WDC) to have the town centre retail area given the special designation.

If approved, the listing would give the group six months to raise the required funds to buy the land, should it be put up for sale.

Being added to the Register of Assets of Community Value would not guarantee the community group the right to buy the land - just the chance to place a bid.

FoTS has also made its objections to plans to redevelop the car park into flats and more shops very clear.

And now Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) is set to throw its support behind the bid by writing to its district colleagues to approve the application.

"We should support the members of Friends of Talisman Square," Cllr Richard Dickson said at the last KTC meeting. 

"I am sure members here are well aware of the important work that they do."

While Cllr Zoe Leventhal added: "The test is whether the actual current use of the building or land furthers the social interest and wellbeing of the local people. 

"For my part I can't think of another place in Kenilworth that does that more. 

"Given its community links and the number of shops and the biodiversity that has been introduced there, I think we should support the application and hope we as a town council can add some specific issues."

The council was not due to discuss Talisman Square at its meeting last week, but voted to suspend the standing orders to allow for a discussion to take place.

Cllr Dickson said it was important the council's voice was heard, and said it should show its support before WDC had chance to respond to the plans.

Town councillors voted unanimously in favour of supporting FoTS.

The group revealed the plans to have the site registered back in April.

Speaking at the time Catherine Dallaway, a spokesperson for FoTS, said: "Talisman Square is the key retail, community and social hub for Kenilworth town centre, providing valuable opportunities for local residents and visitors to shop, socially interact and relax in an open, yet sheltered, public space.

"Together with Kenilworth Arts Festival and with the support of Cobalt Estates, we've worked hard to enhance Talisman Square and to transform it into a really special space, with a beautiful community garden, attractive wooden benches, murals and a community piano.

"We want to preserve this wonderful space for the enjoyment of future generations, both young and old.

"We believe that it's possible to do this while permitting some additional low-level commercial or residential development on the site, but not the scale of residential development envisaged by the owners in their application which would obliterate much of the current open space."

WDC is yet to make a decision on the scheme to redevelop Talisman Square, but locals have made numerous objections to the proposal, saying it is "in the best interests of the town" for it not to go ahead.

Other locally registered pieces of land include St Mary Lands in Warwick and The White Lion in Radford Semele.