A new community centre at a major new housing estate in Kenilworth remains years away.

Speaking at last week's full Warwick District Council meeting, Cllr Richard Dickson asked for an update on the facility which will eventually be built to support the new homes around Leamington Road and Glasshouse Lane.

"Can you please give an update on the timetable for the design and construction and the operational and governance arrangements for the planned community facility on the land east of Kenilworth?" he asked. 

"The March 2019 development brief stated that the trigger for the centre to be built and the procurement of the centre management is to be completed to align with 750 dwellings being built - that's built not sold nor occupied on land east of Kenilworth."

The major new housing estate at Kenilworth Gate was given outline approval in 2021 and includes provision for 550 homes, a primary school and a community centre.

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

In response to the question, portfolio holder for place, Cllr Chris King, said work on a design for the centre is expected to be completed in 2027, with construction hoped to begin the year after.

This could be "subject to change" and would depend on how quickly the homes are built.

Cllr King explained: "The section 106 [legal agreement with the developer] associated with the land for the community centre requires it to be transferred to the council prior to the occupation of 65 per cent of the dwellings on the Thickthorn development.

"The land for the community centre is expected to be transferred to Warwick District Council in the financial year 2028/29 according to the latest development trajectory. 

"However, work is currently underway to update the trajectories which may mean that this is revised."