Green Party members have accused the local Conservative group of "spreading misinformation" through a recent leaflet delivered to Kenilworth residents.

The latest 'News from Kenilworth Conservatives' newsletter gave an update on the new Kenilworth School, with local campaign Malcom Graham quoted he was "staggered" at complaints that the school will be a "sub-standard build".

"The school has been built to the latest building regulations," he said.

But Green members have pointed out that the Glasshouse Lane school, which was given planning permission in 2019, will mostly be built to the 2013 building regulations and not the most recent 2021 rules.

Green campaigners have consistently raised concerns about the energy-efficiency of the £55 million build, with campaigner George Martin calling on Warwick District Council to upgrade the spec of the build before approval was granted.

"The Kenilworth Conservatives should take more care over the accuracy of the statements in their political newsletter," he told Nub News.

"As a national expert on building performance and a resident of Kenilworth for over 40 years, I tried over several years to convince not only the governors prior to their public consultation, but also their consultants during the consultation process and Warwick District Council during the planning application that the building should be designed to enhanced energy-efficiency standards such as Passivhaus.  

"Had such an enhanced design been chosen, the running costs of the building would have been significantly reduced and carbon emissions cut.

"Regretfully they would not listen."

The latest 'News from Kenilworth Conservatives' newsletterhas come under fire from local Green members (Image supplied)

The Tory newsletter did provide details of some of the energy-saving measures that have been included in the project such as the solar panels on the roof, heat pump and future provision for EV charging.

Mr Graham added in the newsletter: "I'd like to remind residents that the Kenilworth Green and Liberal Democrat councillors didn't even vote in support of building our much needed new school at Warwick district planning meeting back in 2019."

In response Cllr Rik Spencer said it was important to keep in mind that the school was given the green light in 2019 after over a decade of work and accused the Greens of being "pedantic if not plainly ridiculous".

"You can't pre-empt what legislation might be introduced in the future," he said. 

"Keep in mind the project started circa 11 years ago in this case. Clearly the school has been built to the latest planning regulations, if it had not been, it wouldn't have been granted planning permission."

He added: "Frankly, if I was a Green supporter with young children in the local education system, I'd be embarrassed with the Green councillors stance regarding Kenilworth School.

"Kenilworth Greens and Liberals for that matter, didn't support the planning application at KTC level or at WDC back in 2019.  

"While they 'say' they support Kenilworth School (talk really is cheap), they've not progressed two CIL applications for financial support in providing facilities which would not only provide for the school but also the local community, both of which I supported (as a member of the CIL working Group). 

"The fact is, the Greens don't like the truth being exposed.  Their contribution to the new Kenilworth School a big fat zero!  Only procrastination and criticism. It certainly hasn't been one of support in my opinion."