It will be a "long time" before houses are actually built on the two former Kenilworth School sites, the leader of the district council told town councillors last night (January 16).

An update shared by Warwick District Council (WDC) this week said two external companies have been appointed to help with the project, which will ultimately see the sites at Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane developed into "affordable, high quality and low carbon housing".

Residents have grown increasingly frustrated over recent months at the apparent lack of movement on the two sites, with few updates shared since a public information event held in 2023.

Councillors have criticised the local authority over a lack of communication, and said tax payers are losing trust with the council over the project.

But speaking at last night's Kenilworth Town Council meeting, district council leader Cllr Ian Davison gave an update on the scheme.

"We are very keen on those sites to become housing, as it says in the local plan - a minimum of 40 per cent affordable housing," he said. 

"We are very keen on exempla low carbon houses as well. 

"I don't put the word all in that - but as many as possible to be exampla."

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Kenilworth School moved across to Glasshouse Lane in September 2023 (image by James Smith)

Because of the ambition to build low carbon homes, WDC has appointed Spruce Retrofit and Altair Ltd to help with the designs and a plan to bring the sites forward.

Feedback from the two firms is expected in April 2025, and the council will then make a decision on its next steps.

Cllr Richard Dickson - who highlighted the fact WDC did not take over the sites immediately after the school left in September 2023 - asked for a firm timeline on the planning applications.

But Cllr Davison said he could not make any firm promises.

"It will be a long time before they actually happen," the district council leader explained. 

"But it is an apology that things have been slow so far, because not having vacant possession is not a reason for not developing plans."

He added: "It's more of an apology that we have been slow, rather than saying magically things will go faster."

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In its statement on Thursday WDC has also committed to ensuring the homes will "complement the local Kenilworth community".

In the statement shared by the local authority, Cllr Lowell Williams said: "Ownership of these strategic sites has offered the council a golden opportunity to bring forward a significant number of affordable homes with outstanding energy efficiency and minimal emissions. 

"Aiming for a Passivhaus standard for these new homes, supports our low cost, strategy, offering our residents lower energy bills, improved comfort all year round whilst contributing towards reducing emissions to address climate change."