Local volunteers have expressed their "sadness" and "deep regret" that they will have to start removing the community garden from Talisman Square.

Despite having recently been refused planning permission to redevelop the car park at the town centre shopping area into flats, developer Cobalt Estate has told Friends of Talisman Square (FoTS) it must remove all the planting from the past few years.

FoTS says it has continued to ask the landowner - with the help of Kenilworth Town Council - to spare the plants, but has been unable to come to an agreement.

The group was originally given a deadline of November to remove the plants, but this was extended until the end of March which has been set as a hard deadline.

Spokesman for the group Dr Catherine Dallaway said: "Whilst we are all deeply disappointed, we will respect their decision and feel proud that we have been able to make such a positive impact on the environment and those who have visited and enjoyed Talisman Square so much over the last four years.  

"People frequently stopped us while we were gardening to thank us for the wonderful job we were doing and we feel sad that the town is about to lose this much-loved community space."

The group is now in talks with the town council about relocating the plants.

Friends of Talisman Square has until the end of March to remove the planting (image by FoTS)

FoTS added: "We are determined that the work they have done to increase biodiversity and improve the town centre environment will not be lost. 

"And feel sure the local community will continue to support them as they work out how and where the community garden will evolve."

The planting was originally given Cobalt's consent and some financial contributions - a statement from the company said.

However, Cobalt Estates' lawyers have advised it should be removed following recent unsuccessful attempts by FoTS and others to list the area as an 'Asset of Community Value' (ACV), which have twice been rejected by Warwick District Council. 

Listing the site as an ACV would have forced Cobalt to offer the sale of the land to the community group for six months, before it was allowed to put it on the open market.

The company said this would have "implications on the long-term viability of the centre" and lawyers said removing the planting would "discourage further speculative attempts at a listing".

Volunteers are hopeful the plants can be relocated (image via FoTS)

Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, the developers of Talisman Square, said: "After the advice given to Cobalt Estates to remove the planting by its lawyers, meetings were held to see if alternative solutions could be found. 

"Once it was clear that none were forthcoming, a later deadline of March 2024 was agreed to allow the Friends enough time to remove the planting, while also allowing enough time for Cobalt Estates to install new landscaping during the growing season. 

"We are very disappointed that it has come to this, as like everyone else we appreciated the efforts of the community to brighten this area up.  

"However, repeated attempts to have the area listed as an ACV have forced Cobalt Estates to take this step."

Friends of Talisman Square was originally told to remove the plants by November, but the deadline was extended (image via FoTS)