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District council become 'free-for-all' for housing developers

Local News by James Smith 1 hour ago  
Warwick District Council is unable to demonstrate a five-year housing supply (image via Miller Homes)
Warwick District Council is unable to demonstrate a five-year housing supply (image via Miller Homes)
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Kenilworth and the rest of Warwick district remain at risk of becoming a "free-for-all" for housing developers, a local councillor has warned.

Warwick District Council is currently unable to show a 'five-year housing supply' - a pipeline of houses over the coming years to meet government housing targets.

This means any planning application for a housing estate is considered on what is referred to as 'tilted balance' when a decision is made.

The tilted balance means any issues with the proposals could be outweighed by the need for more homes to be built locally.

Speaking at the last Kenilworth Town Council meeting, Cllr Andrew Milton warned this could lead to more and more 'speculative' planning applications for more houses.

"Members may be aware - and it is relevant to the South Warwickshire Local Plan, and the current absence of a five-year land supply - certain areas of the district are becoming 'victim' to speculative planning applications from developers," he said.

"Members may be aware that we have one at the moment from Richborough Estates for the land east of Rouncil Lane.

"It is the other side of the school. 

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"That is currently with district council planning officers and we may see it in the future. 

"It is one of the challenges the district council has at the moment. 

"Because it hasn't got this five-year land supply, it is more difficult for it to defend itself or defend against applications which sit outside the current local plan. 

"If we are not careful it does create a free-for-all for developers, so that is one for us to keep an eye on over the next few years."

A report published by the district council last year said on average 1,085 homes need to be built locally each year.

It estimated in April 2025 the council was 3,466 houses short of its then targets.

There was just 1.96 year's housing supply.

     

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