A new community centre in Kenilworth may not be built until at least 2028, the district council has confirmed.

Town councillors have recently expressed concern at the lack of news on the development which will form part of the Kenilworth Gate housing development.

Full planning permission has now been granted for nearly 550 houses off the Leamington Road, with construction well underway on the first phase of the new estate.

When outline permission was first granted, the scheme also included provision for two new primary schools and a community centre.

But with residents already moving into the new homes, little news on when the community facilities will be available has been revealed.

"As far as I am aware, there has not been any suggestion as to how this will be brought forward," Cllr James Kennedy said at the most recent Kenilworth Town Council meeting. 

"What I would like to propose is that this council asks the district council what their plans are and how we as a town council can be involved in the development of this community centre. 

"It raises all sorts of opportunities and I think the last thing we want is something dumped there…if we can be involved in the early consultations, not just wait for a planning application to come forward, that would be of benefit."

Locals at Kenilworth Gate were previously told they would have to use the new Kenilworth School's facilities until the new centre is finished.

In response to a request for information from Nub News, Warwick District Council said it is still collecting section 106 contributions - funds raised from housing developers - from the new estates on the land east of Kenilworth to put towards the new community centre.

The community centre will be built on land next to the new local centre at Kenilworth Gate.

"As the community centre land will not be available until the later stages of the development, for example once the roads and infrastructure are in place at the local centre, we anticipate delivery may be in 2028," a council statement said. 

"The council are currently in the initial stages of project feasibility.

"The town council is one of several key stakeholders who will be consulted and engaged on this project as it progresses."

Kenilworth Gate will also include a large portion of 'employment land' close to the Thickthorn roundabout.

A planning application has now been submitted for six major industrial buildings on the site.