A planning application to transform a Kenilworth car park into 44 flats and two new shops has been submitted to Warwick District Council.

Cobalt Estates has submitted plans for a four-storey block of apartments, with two new retail units on the ground floor, for Talisman Shopping Centre's car park.

A previous scheme to build student accommodation and retail units on the car park was granted planning permission by WDC in 2016, but the build did not go ahead "due to the changing commercial landscape".

This fresh application is for a slightly smaller building and is for the general residential market rather than students.

The number of shops has also been reduced from five to two.

Cobalt Estates held an exhibition in Talisman Square in May to inform residents of the plans.

Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, said the application shows "commitment to continued investment in Talisman Shopping Centre".

He added: "We are really pleased to submit these plans for what we believe to be the final piece of development of the centre. We believe bringing residential dwellings into the heart of the scheme will add life to the centre particularly outside the usual trading hours.

"It has been a long time coming, but due to things moving very quickly in commercial property and the challenges brought about by the pandemic, we are pleased the new plans have now gone in.

"If our application is successful, we would look to start construction within a year of gaining consent and the scheme will take about 18 months to construct.

"We are also looking forward to helping exciting new businesses move into the two new retail class E units created by this development."