Here are the biggest local planning stories from the past week.

Pub's New Look

A Kenilworth town centre pub has revealed plans to completely remove its car park and extend its beer garden into it.

If approved, the planning application would see the Bear & Ragged Staff get rid of its nine parking spaces to make way for a new wooden pergola and more outside seating.

The scheme also includes plans to completely repaint the front of the Warwick Road pub, and to renovate the toilets and bar area.

Read more here

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Employment Zone

The district council is still working to find businesses to invest in a new employment zone on the edge of Kenilworth, which forms part of a major new housing development.

Planning permission for the 'Kenilworth Gateway' employment land off Leamington Road was granted in December 2021, alongside approval for 550 houses and a primary school.

Work on a small number of those houses is already underway, while detailed plans for the remainder are still being considered by Warwick District Council (WDC).

Read the full story here.

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Bridge Knocked Down

Contractors working for HS2 have removed a 4,000 tonne bridge over the M42 to make way for the construction of the new high speed line across the motorway near the Interchange Station construction site in Solihull.

A team of 20 demolition experts from Solihull-based firm Armac, working on behalf of HS2's main works contractor in the Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), carried out the demolition in a 52 hour operation.

The operation was coordinated in conjunction with National Highways, who were able to open the motorway section between Junctions 6 and 7 on Monday at 1.30am, which was three and a half hours earlier than planned, reducing disruption to road users.

Read more here.

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