Plans for 140 new homes off Westwood Heath Road look set to be approved despite claims by the parish council the development is "premature".

Warwick District Council's planning committee will vote on IM Land 1 Limited's application next week, but council planners have recommended the application be approved.

A council report said: "The new housing would be provided in a sustainable location and the proposed parameters of the scheme would enable the development to make an effective use of the land whilst delivering a well-designed residential environment."

It added: "The proposed development would deliver up to 140 new homes, 40 per cent of which would be affordable. 

"The development would therefore provide a meaningful boost to the supply of market and affordable housing within the district at a time when the council does not have the requisite supply of housing land."

The houses would be built next to a major estate already under construction (image via planning application)

In its objection, Burton Green Parish council raised a number of concerns around the development, saying the land should not be removed from the green belt, claiming the application is premature as it comes before the new local plan, and saying the local infrastructure cannot cope with so many extra homes.

However, council planners - once again - said the scheme should be approved as the council's housing supply is not sufficient.

The report continued: "The council does not have a five-year housing land supply and therefore planning permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the NPPF as a whole. 

"This requires a balanced planning assessment, having particular regard to directing development to sustainable locations, making effective use of land, securing well-designed places and providing affordable homes.

"In addition to this, addressing infrastructure pressures is a key consideration for the proposal."

The application neighbours a major housing estate already under construction.

See the full council report here.

Outline plans for the estate (image via planning application)