Councillors have said they need more information on how 144 new homes will impact roads in Kenilworth before they sign off on them.

After over an hour of debate on Tuesday (May 21) Warwick District Council's planning committee decided to defer a decision on Persimmon Homes' latest application for new houses at Thickthorn - despite officers saying the scheme should be given the green light.

Members of the public and Kenilworth Town Council spoke against the development, saying it would have a "significant" impact on already-congested local roads, especially St John's roundabout.

"On our way here this evening we travelled past the marooned estate which is Kenilworth Gate phase one where residents without cars or cycles dare not leave the estate without risking life and limb attempting to cross the A452 to the safety of a pavement," resident Clive Peacock said. 

"Why is this? Quite simply the infrastructure was not agreed before planning was agreed and now it is too late. 

"My question to this committee is are you convinced the infrastructure will be in place at this site?"

The first homes under construction are off Leamington Road (image by James Smith)

Meanwhile, Cllr Peter Jones spoke on behalf of Kenilworth Town Council to raise a number of issues, including the "major issue" of "more congestion".

"Firstly we have concerns about the proximity of dwellings in the far eastern corner of the development to the A46 trunk road," he explained

"They will be affected by high noise levels and poor air quality, especially in weekday rush hours and summer Saturday peaks of traffic - impacting the health of their residents. 

"Secondly we are disappointed by the revised location of the community centre which was due to be built in this phase of development but is now postponed."

Developer's Comments

Full planning permission has already been granted for the first 98 homes of the estate along Leamington Road, which are now under construction, with some on the market.

The developer has been given outline planning consent for a further 452 homes, and did submit a reserved matters application for all of these last year.

However, this application was for just a third of these homes which would have been situated at the other end of the site.

Speaking on behalf of Persimmon at Tuesday's meeting, Nick Wilkins said: "Throughout the application we have listened to observations and comments as to how we might mitigate concerns from all parties and statutory consultees. 

"Many changes have been made throughout the application, in consultation with officers. 

"This next phase continues with the same high quality design ethos already established on our current phase off Leamington Road."

The proposed 144 extra homes would be built at the north end of the development (image via planning application)

Spine Road

The latest application originally included full details for the spine road, which would have connected the extra 144 homes to those already under construction, and create a new junction on Leamington Road.

However, most of the designs for the spine road were removed - which led to a number of concerns from district councillors.

As per the original planning permission, Persimmon does not need to build the spine road until 475 homes or 55 per cent of the employment land is built.

A diagram showing where the spine road should eventually be built (image via planning application)

Councillors decided though to ask for more information from Warwickshire County Council's highways department before making a decision.

"Can I propose, as all of us have expressed great concern about the spine road and the lack of access, that we have a representation from the county's highways department before we make a decision," said Cllr James Kennedy.

The committee voted unanimously in favour of deferring a decision.

See the full application here.