Volunteers who have spent the past few years working to make Talisman Square a "wonderful community space" are hoping to find a new homes for the under-threat plants around the shopping centre.

The group Friends of Talisman Square (FoTS) has been told by developer Cobalt Estate to remove all the greenery from the town centre car park by the end of March.

Plans to turn the site into flats and more shops were denied last year, much to the relief of many locals.

However, Cobalt Estates' lawyers have advised the plants should be removed following recent unsuccessful attempts by FoTS and others to list the area as an 'Asset of Community Value' (ACV), which have twice been rejected by Warwick District Council. 

FoTS says it has continued to ask the landowner - with the help of Kenilworth Town Council - to spare the plants, but has been unable to come to an agreement.

The group was originally given a deadline of November to remove the plants, but this was extended until the end of March which has been set as a hard deadline.

And now volunteers are looking to find a new home for as many of the plants as possible.

Friends of Talisman Square has until the end of March to remove the planting (image by FoTS)

"We're continuing to work hard to look at all possible options and remain determined to do everything we can to keep a community garden in the town centre," a group spokesperson told Nub News. 

"We are working closely with Kenilworth Town Council and are also talking to Kenilworth School, Kenilworth Lions and a number of other community minded groups and individuals. 

"Our group of volunteers continue to feel optimistic that we will find a resolution that ensures the hard work they have put into improving Kenilworth's urban biodiversity is not lost and that community gardening continues to grow and thrive across the town. 

"If anyone would like to register their interest in volunteering or donating to 'Friends of Talisman Square' please get in touch on Facebook."

Volunteers are hopeful the plants can be relocated (image via FoTS)

The planting was originally given Cobalt's consent and some financial contributions.

Listing the site as an ACV would have forced Cobalt to offer the sale of the land to the community group for six months, before it was allowed to put it on the open market.

The company said this would have "implications on the long-term viability of the centre" and lawyers said removing the planting would "discourage further speculative attempts at a listing".

Friends of Talisman Square was originally told to remove the plants by November, but the deadline was extended (image via FoTS)

Following the news of the planting being removed, locals were quick to voice their feelings.

"I'm feeling very angry and frustrated about the insistence to remove all of the lovely planting from Talisman Square," resident Kate Smith told Nub News.

"I know I'm not alone in this."

Other residents have also taken to social media to vent their frustration.

"This will really spoil a vibrant part of Kenilworth, a place to sit, the shop fronts have a beautiful outlook and the car park is brilliant if you are elderly and can't walk too far, you are immediately in the centre," one local said.

Another added: "This is appalling its such a lovely area and so much hard work has gone into it."

Cobalt Estates was previously all in favour of the community garden (image by James Smith)