A local councillor has said "enough is enough" and no more houses should be built on green belt land around Kenilworth.

Earlier this year, in the build up to the local elections, residents will have seen local political groups comment on the process behind the new South Warwickshire Local Plan, which was originally due to be adopted in 2025.

The plan, which is a joint venture between Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon District Councils, could see as many as 35,000 new houses built in the region.

But with the details of the second call for sites exercise - where locals suggested where new houses should be built - Cllr Rich Hales said more needs to be done to protect the green belt around Kenilworth from more housing.

"To be really clear, Kenilworth Conservatives believe that Kenilworth will have had enough new homes built once the current local plan has been fully implemented," he said in a statement to Nub News.

"Furthermore, we commit to fight alongside residents through the local planning stage, should any attempts be made to bring forward new housing developments in our already depleted green belt surrounding Kenilworth."

Town councillors of all parties signed a letter to the district council early this year, raising issues with the new local plan.

In particular members raised concerns about the possible further use of the green belt.

Potential 'alternative development' sites identified by the district councils (image via Warwick District Green Part)

Reading the joint letter from Kenilworth Town Council at the time, Liberal Democrat Cllr Andrew Milton said: "We are concerned about the potential further erosion of the green belt around Kenilworth.

"We have seen considerable damage to this through the current local plan and HS2, and believe that further sacrifice would have an unacceptable impact on the character of the town and the amenity to local residents.

"It is essential that in the areas of Kenilworth that have no natural or man-made boundary (e.g. the A46), the green belt is preserved to prevent the continued outward spread of the town and the submerging of smaller settlements."

Meanwhile before the second call for sites, the local Green group questioned the handling of the consultation process.

The group accused the district councils of "hiding" the details of six potential housing sites on green belt land, in the appendix of a report.

Former councillor John Dearing said at the time the Greens wanted new houses to be "affordable" and on "brownfield sites first".

Both prospective Green and Liberal Democrat councillors stated no more houses should be built in the green belt, ahead of the local elections

Despite this, Conservative Cllr Rik Spencer said more needs to be done to protect the town from more housing.

"The current stance made by the Lid Dems and Green Party councillors is really wishy washy," he claimed.

"Their position lacks conviction to protect our town from further green belt encroachment.

"Only the Conservatives have clearly stated that enough is enough."

In response, Green member and leader of KTC Cllr James Kennedy said: "Houses that are, even now, being built around Kenilworth, on previously green belt land, resulting from the 2017 Local Plan. 

"This was put in place by the then Conservative administration in Warwick DC. Whilst conservatives have said 'no building on green belt' that is quite the opposite of what they have allowed to happen. 

"Now a new local plan is being developed for Warwick and Stratford districts. Last year the local Green Party alerted residents in Kenilworth to the draft plans put forward by landowners and the consultants preparing the plan (under the Conservative led administration). 

"These would eat up yet more of the green belt in the next few years. 

"In the new plan the Green Party wants to prioritise brown field sites and is challenging the housing numbers set in the national formula. It is central government's massive housebuilding demands that require building on green belt land.

"Where new housing is genuinely required, homes should be built within 20-minute communities. 

"Good planning comes from detailed consultation with local residents, not empty political slogans."