A planning application for HS2's proposed major compound near Stoneleigh has been submitted to Warwick District Council (WDC).

The scheme was first put forward in April 2022, with HS2 saying it wanted to expand Highways England's former site on Stoneleigh Road to use it as a compound for the next four years.

WDC then said an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was needed before a planning application would be considered.

And having recently announced changes to the design for the 30 hectare site following a public consultation, the full plans have been put forward to the council.

"The proposed development is anticipated to be in use between 2023 and the end of 2028, followed by a two-year reinstatement period, with works occurring in the following sequence," the application said.

It added: "The land take is the minimum necessary and there are no alternative locations available as the proposed construction compound extension is required to be close to the existing A46 Main Compound for construction purposes to minimise construction impacts and impacts on the highway network."

The required EIA has been submitted alongside the application, and HS2 says the development will reduce construction traffic on local roads.

The developer has also recently been given planning permission to build a new roundabout on Stoneleigh Road. But until this is built, a new T-junction would provide temporary access to the compound.

The outline of the proposed HS2 compound next to the A46 (image via HS2)

And while the compound would be built within the green belt, HS2 said the development should be permitted due to its special circumstances.

"The proposed development will cause some encroachment into the countryside as the area is currently agricultural and undeveloped," the application added.

"However, the proposed development should be considered in the context of the construction of HS2 and the adjacent existing construction compound.

"As the proposed development is temporary there will be no permanent encroachment into the countryside from the construction compound extension."

Members of Kenilworth Town Council's planning committee have already raised concerns about the plans, questioning whether the 30-hectare site will be too big. The council will now be able to comment on the full application before WDC's planning department makes a final decision.

See the full application here.

The updated plans for the Stoneleigh Road compound (image via HS2)