A new secondary school must be built near Kenilworth before a new 4,000-house estate is built.

That was the message from town councillors who gave their feedback on the masterplan for the Kings Hill development in Stoneleigh.

Warwick District Council will next week decide on the next steps for the major planning document following a public consultation this year.

The masterplan will govern how the land at Kings Hill is developed, but members of Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) voiced a number of concerns about its scope.

"Kenilworth Town Council considers that the analysis underweights the cumulative pressure on Kenilworth's facilities and infrastructure," the council's response to the masterplan said.

"The council notes that the site is on [the] boundary between the areas of Stoneleigh, Finham and Baginton, and wish to see a commitment that the community centre will be equally shared between these communities, with the opportunity for Kenilworth groups to also use it.

"The number and size of community spaces should be scaled accordingly, and consider the needs of all ages, such as helping to reduce social isolation for the elderly.

"The secondary school will be essential and must be delivered in an early phase."

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The six-week consultation drew 237 responses from locals who raised a variety of concerns.

Many residents opposed the idea of development altogether, while others questioned the impact on local services and roads.

The district council says the document is needed to make sure any development is not "fragmented".

This was one of KTC's concerns also with members saying the document is "too brief".

The council said a clear plan for when infrastructure is required is needed and a "commitment that the site is self-sufficient such that Kenilworth infrastructure is not burdened by the site".

"The SPD as it stands does not protect existing communities from the effects of incremental delivery, and Kenilworth's communities have been harmed by a loss of control over the sequencing and phasing of planning applications and delivery of infrastructure," the council wrote.

"Kenilworth Town Council wishes to use learnings from previous staged planning applications to support the planning process."

The council's report revealed the planning document cost £150,000 and was paid for by a Homes England grant.

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WDC's cabinet will decide how to progress with the document on Thursday 11 June.

Click here to see the report in full.

(Header image by Mat Fascione via geograph.org.uk)