Protesters aiming to block hundreds of new houses being built in Kenilworth's green belt have raised over £2,000 to hire a barrister.

The 'Save Our Fields' group launched a petition earlier this year in response to land around Rouncil Lane being earmarked for new homes in the emerging South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP).

The major planning document is reaching its latter stages, with the most recent draft including 751 homes to the south of Kenilworth, as well as 4,000 on land between Westwood Heath Road and the town.

Petitioners are calling on Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils to rethink the proposed homes for the south of town, and have now raised £2,245 and instructed a barrister to prepare feedback for the latest public consultation.

The six-week feedback window is the final chance for the public to comment on SWLP, and focuses on whether the plan is technically sound, rather than whether the individual sites are suitable.

"Kenilworth residents are joining forces to fund a campaign, including legal action, expert input, leaflets and posters to stop the development of 750 more houses on Kenilworth green belt farmland," the fundraiser said.

"This will affect everyone in Kenilworth with no improved roads, schools or medical services planned and it's in sight of the castle.

"On top of all the other houses built or planned around the town, we can't take any more.

"Please dig into your pockets (every fiver counts) so this can be fought effectively on behalf of the town."

Kenilworth Town Council has also voted in favour of a £6,000 spend for a planning consultant to ensure "infrastructure delivery, especially transport capacity, healthcare provision, secondary education capacity, utility infrastructure" are addressed in feedback to the local councils.

Petitioners have said the land south of Rouncil Lane should be protected as green belt, and have also argued local services cannot cope with more residents.

The land allocated for the homes does not include any provision for new schools or medical facilities.

The petitioners continued: "The area is part of the historic Forest of Arden and former deer park and development should not be allowed to protect the important views from and setting of Kenilworth Castle.

"New houses would be visible from the castle and gardens.

"There is no adequate road and transport infrastructure here, insufficient GP or school capacity, and longstanding problems with sewage; putting 750 new houses here would put unmanageable pressure on already strained local infrastructure."

Work began on the SWLP in 2021 but has been hit by various delays.

The councils only have until December 31 to submit the plan for approval.

This final 'regulation 19' consultation is now underway and runs until Tuesday 8 September.

The local plan has come under fire from local councillors, with members at the district councils split over whether to move forward with it.

Local Green councillor James Kennedy has defended moving forward with it.

"The best way of avoiding the chaos of developers marauding over our countryside is to have a local plan that insists on developers paying for infrastructure like schools and transport," he said in a statement to Nub News.

"To not vote for it would have been a massive gamble, however much we don't like the numbers the government are forcing on us.

"I'm pleased that a majority of Lib Dems across South Warwickshire did support the plan, which attracted cross party support."