Local residents have raised serious concerns about the building of more homes around Kenilworth as the district councils put together the new South Warwickshire Local Plan.

Last month Warwick and Stratford District Councils launched the latest stage of the new plan, the issues and options consultation, while also opening a second 'call for sites'.

The councils are currently assessing the suitability of potential development areas, as they look to build around 35,000 new houses across the two districts.

But a group of Kenilworth locals is attempting to "reinforce" the view that Kenilworth is unsuitable for further development.

The group has put together a list of 13 objections and challenges to the local plan.

Concerns - particularly around the south of the town - include loss of biodiversity from building on green belt land, pollution and accessibility.

The group has raised concerns relating to the 13 criteria set out by the plan

Residents have also raised concerns that the plan may be based on over-inflated population estimates.

The group said: "The plan fails to demonstrate any reasonable arguments for development in south Kenilworth against their sustainable assessments and we urge you to support our response to the consultation in rejecting south Kenilworth as an area for development."

The group is calling on residents to get in touch here.

The local plan has also come under fire from Green party councillors who have accused the two councils of "hiding" potential development sites from residents. 

The two councils denied the claims.

Potential 'alternative development' sites identified around Kenilworth by the district councils (image supplied)

What have the councils said?

The two councils have maintained since the first call for sites was launched, that no preferences have been declared for where houses should be built across the region, and that all options are being considered.

When the latest consultation was launched at the start of the year Warwick District Council's portfolio holder for place and economy, Cllr John Cooke explained it was important for those living and working in the area to have their say.

He said: "This is another crucial step in the development of our combined local plan, which will determine where we should locate the homes and employment land that we need in the coming decades and ensure that this development happens in the most sustainable locations – places that work best for people, for businesses and for the environment. 

"The 'issues and options' consultation will give local people the opportunity to look in more detail at the topic areas identified and responses received to date, get an overview of the key development issues faced in South Warwickshire and examine the evidence received during the process from experts and specialists and through in-house research."

Stratford District Council's place and economy portfolio holder Cllr Daren Pemberton added: "Now is the first, but not last, opportunity for residents, businesses and other stakeholders to take a closer look at the emerging plan and make their views known.

"This is important stuff for us all."

The South Warwickshire Local Plan, which is set to be adopted by the end of 2025, has been in progress since early 2021.

Residents have until March 5 to respond to the survey.