Permission to turn a former airfield power station near Kenilworth into a modern five-bedroom homes has been renewed by the borough council.

Planners have once again signed off on plans to convert the disused building in Fen End into a house with integral garage.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council had previously given the green light to the development in 2021, but it had not been carried out due to "personal circumstances".

With the original permission to convert the building running out in May 2024, the owners have now been given another three years to get the scheme underway.

"Report concludes that building could be readily converted to residential accommodation without the need for significant demolition and rebuilding of the existing structure," a council notice signing off on planning permission said.

A CGI image of the proposed new house (image via planning application)

It added: "The building is of exceptional character and the proposed conversion is to a high standard of design."

The application said the wartime power station powered the nearby Honiley Airfield, but all that remains of the original machinery is two large oil tanks.

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The walls of the building are apparently 13 inches thick, with the roof made of reinforced concrete to withstand a bomb blast.

"Although it has been out of use for many years, the power station is structurally sound and, even if it is not maintained, it is evident that it will remain almost indefinitely," the application said. 

"It is approached from Frogmore Lane by the original metalled or concrete road opposite Frogmore Barn and there is [a] substantial area of hardstanding around the building, together with the remains of the other buildings associated with the wartime use."

See the full application here.