A former Kenilworth landfill site has officially been designated a 'local wildlife site' but questions still remain on whether it can be turned into a public space.

The title has been given to the land at Cherry Orchard, which Kenilworth Town Council has been working for some time to put towards community use.

An update at last week's council meeting revealed the legal status for public access remains "uncertain" with signs in the area still saying the public cannot use it - even though dog walkers "regularly" do.

There are also "complex requirements" for getting volunteers involved in looking after the land.

A council report said: "Cherry Orchard has recently been designated a local wildlife site.

"The designation itself doesn't necessarily change anything in terms of public access or day-to-day management of the site.

"LWSs can be privately owned and there is no automatic right of public access as a result of designation.

"The citation records the ecological interest of the site, including its habitats and species, as well as relevant management information and recommendation for maintaining and enhancing its biodiversity.

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"These recommendations provide guidance to the landowner, but the designation itself does not necessarily impose a specific management regime on them."

Cllr Mark Stevens also revealed the name 'Cherry Orchard Brick Pit' had been floated and vetoed for the land. He jokingly described the proposed name as "slightly less appealing".

The town council was told last year the signs would be replaced soon, after nearly two years of work tackling legal issues and red tape.

A previous update said the land will be treated as "informal green space" and now the council is pressing ahead with the arrangement.