The new local plan must preserve what is left of the green belt around Kenilworth.

That was the message from town councillors discussing a major planning document that will govern the next 30 years of development in south Warwickshire.

In January Warwick and Stratford District Councils launched the latest stage of the South Warwickshire Local Plan, the issues and options consultation, while also opening a second 'call for sites'.

The councils are currently assessing the suitability of potential development areas, as they look to build around 35,000 new houses across the two districts.

But speaking at last week's Kenilworth Town Council meeting, Cllr Andrew Milton set explained the town council's views on the plan.

"We have set out a response that has really tried to pull out the key points. Having looked at some of the responses that residents have made, I am humbled by the level of detail they have gone into," he said.

"Those 1,700 pages have been condensed down into a side and a half of what we think are the key issues for the town, including things like the protection of the green belt, actually getting the housing numbers for the district correct and actually getting the right mix of housing for the town should there be any more new developments"

The response – which was unanimously backed by town councillors - will now be sent to the district councils.

"We are concerned about the potential further erosion of the green belt around Kenilworth," it said.

"We have seen considerable damage to this through the current local plan and HS2, and believe that further sacrifice would have an unacceptable impact on the character of the town and the amenity to local residents.

"It is essential that in the areas of Kenilworth that have no natural or man-made boundary (e.g. the A46), the greenbelt is preserved to prevent the continued outward spread of the town and the submerging of smaller settlements."

Potential 'alternative development' sites identified around Kenilworth by the district councils (image supplied)

Among a number of other issues, the report said the new local plan must consider the impact more houses would have on local infrastructure.

It also called on the district councils to make sure population estimates were reliable, and, should more houses be planned for Kenilworth, that there are more one and two-bed homes and "truly affordable" houses.

"We are disappointed to see that the issues and options does not directly address the WDC consultants' maps of six broad locations for potential development around Kenilworth nor the results of the first call for sites for landowners to offer land for development," it added.

"Production of the broad locations has not involved the town council (contrary to Government guidelines) and we have concerns about the consultants' methodology used which seems superficial.

"The town council requests that it is involved in all future conversations about strategic planning within and around the town, especially the opportunity the new Local Plan gives for updating the current Kenilworth neighbourhood plan."

The South Warwickshire Local Plan, which is set to be adopted by the end of 2025, has been in progress since early 2021.

Residents have until March 5 to respond to the survey.