A local MP has renewed calls for a public vote on a deal to sell Warwick District Council's (WDC) headquarters.

Plans to sell Riverside House to Homes England were revealed last month, as the local authority prepares to leave its old base and move to rented offices in Warwick.

WDC says the move - which has been in the works for a number of years - could save taxpayers up to £250,000 per year.

While locals were consulted on the future of the Leamington Spa building in 2021, MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western says there needs to be "more transparency" and has once again written to the leader of the council asking him to halt the sale.

The Labour MP argues the council - which is run by a Green-Labour coalition - should not be selling off public land, which he states is "privatisation of public (our) land, which we will never get back".

In his latest letter to Cllr Ian Davison, Mr Western has urged the Green leader to retain the site for 100 per cent social housing.  

The current plans include 40 per cent affordable housing - the minimum requirement in the current local plan.

Local MP Matt Western said the sale of Riverside House should be halted (image supplied)

"This is a matter of great concern for me," he said.

"Our job as elected representatives is to deliver what our communities need.

"It is clear from the statistics and speaking to people in our towns and villages that truly affordable housing is needed to address the housing emergency we face locally.  

"These plans will not deliver that.

"The council have an opportunity to pause these plans that were created under the former administration and develop something that will truly serve our community.  

"I hope Cllr Davison will fully consider my further questions and take the chance to assess these plans and their suitability for our district – and, most importantly, give the public a real say." 

However, speaking at the most recent WDC meeting, local councillors have labelled the MP's comments as "ill informed" and supported Cllr Davison's response that the land should be sold.

Speaking in support at last month's full council meeting, Conservative group leader Cllr Andrew Day said: "I do commend the leader's response in the press to our MP's ill-informed comments around the proposals coming for there, which have had cross-party support.

"It will deliver significant numbers of affordable housing in a key part of our community.

"And do a lot when we have already reduced the housing list by a significant proportion in the last council.

"This will contribute further, affordable housing and social housing in our community."

Warwick District Council deputy leader and Labour member Cllr Chris King (left) with Green leader Cllr Ian Davison (image via Warwick District Council)

Plans to relocate council services from the Leamington offices were signed off by the previous Conservative-led council, before the new Green-Labour leadership took over following the May elections. 

The Green-Labour coalition forced through plans to repurpose the Royal Pump Rooms' shop to create a new customer service hub earlier this year, as part of the relocation from Riverside House.

WDC is set to vacate Riverside House and move to offices in Warwick, where a lease will be taken with Warwickshire County Council for use of part of the Saltisford 1 building.

Cllr Day - who was leader of the previous WDC administration - also asked new deputy leader and Labour member Cllr Chris King last month, whether he agreed with his party colleague Mr Western.

"I understand where those criticisms are coming from because there is a feeling that, when the decision was made around what to do with the site, and how to progress with the issues around the existing building, he has a strong feeling that the right process wasn't followed - particularly with regard to consulting the public," Cllr King replied. 

"Now you will appreciate of course that I wasn't involved as a councillor at the time and I was barely aware of this going on to be quite honest. 

"So I can't really answer for him in respect of why he is asking these questions. 

"I assume he has the best motives behind him - if you want more answers for him, I suggest you ask him."

When pressed further by Cllr Day, Cllr King said he had supported the reply from Cllr Davison, adding: "I think it is very good for the community to have vibrant tensions. 

"It doesn't do any harm, it forces more questions and it forces more questioning of what has been happening in the processes."