Plans to demolish the Woodside Hotel to make way for 55 homes have been given the green light "through gritted teeth".

Developer Vistry was last year refused permission to replace the former manor house with 43 houses and a block of flats on environmental grounds.

However, a fresh application - which says it addresses the issues previously raised - has now been reluctantly approved by Warwick District Council's (WDC) planning committee.

Speaking at last week's meeting, Cllr Neal Eaton presented an objection from Kenilworth Town Council which said the application was "not considered compliant with the local plan or the Land East of Kenilworth Development Brief".

He also said there was "no proven housing need for this additional development" and raised concerns at the lack of affordable homes.

But district councillors were told they should only consider the sustainability of the proposed development, as that was the reason the last scheme was thrown out.

Council solicitor Ross Chambers explained considering other issues would be "considered unreasonable because there is a general principle that similar cases should be decided on a consistent basis". 

The proposed layout for the new development (image via planning application)

He added: "Obviously an identical scheme went before this committee in December and it was refused for one reason only. 

"This new application addresses that one reason.

"So in my opinion it would be unreasonable to open up wider issues."

While councillors said they sympathised with Kenilworth Town Council and other residents who had objected, they were resigned to grant permission.

"The reality is, this is an unwelcome demolition of a building which would be better repurposed," Cllr Lowell Williams said. 

"It is part of a scheme which is excess development in Kenilworth which isn't required. 

The block of fats will include 12 new homes (image via planning application)

"It is part of a number of actions that are ruining the local town and is not actually providing us with affordable housing. 

"It is something which we shouldn't support, however we are where we are. 

"And the best I can take from this, is that the committee has at least improved an unwelcome scheme."

He added: "If we can at least make this unwelcome development greener than it would have been before, then it is a very small notion of progress."

Cllr Richard Dickson seconded the proposal to approve the application but only "through gritted teeth".

Vistry had already been given prior approval to flatten the site.