What is going on with the major housing developments around Kenilworth?
By James Smith
9th Jul 2023 | Local News
A report presented at the most recent Kenilworth Town Council meeting has given an update on all the major housing projects across the town.
With new houses on the various developments along Glasshouse Lane already up for sale, 1,500 houses are currently either under construction or awaiting planning approval.
More applications for new estates are also expected to be submitted in the coming months.
Southcrest Rise
Miller Homes is underway building 99 homes along Glasshouse Lane, which have already gone on sale.
The show home opened at the end of April, with a chef from Peach Pubs - which runs the Almanack - cooking up breakfast for guests.
The first residents are expected to move in during August.
Roadworks along Glasshouse Lane for the site are being completed alongside works to create a new 20mph speed zone outside the new Kenilworth School.
Stoneleigh View
Further along Glasshouse Lane, Vistry, Bovis and Linden Homes are on site building the initial phases of their planning permission for 620 dwellings.
This includes 248 affordable homes that will be taken on by Warwick District Council.
It is anticipated that within the next couple of months the first seven affordable housing units will be handed over to WDC - originally these had been expected in early June.
Developers are currently in discussion with the district council over the access to the site, hoping to build the new junction off Crewe Lane, before the one with Glasshouse Lane.
The first market homes are now available with two of the show homes now open.
Land at Thickthorn
Charles Church is building the first 98 homes at its Kenilworth Gate site - the first phase of the major development.
Works on the access of Leamington Road are already underway, and 40 homes are expected to be completed this year.
The show home was set to open in late spring, but it has only just opened. The first plots are now up for sale with housing ranging from £370,000 to £885,000.
An outline planning application for the remaining 452 homes, retail and employment land and community centre is currently under consideration with the district council.
The developer has also been given planning permission to cut back trees to make space for the new homes.
But residents will initially have to use the new school on Glasshouse Lane as a community facility when it opens in September, rather than a purpose-built centre which is yet to be built.
Kenilworth Rugby Club
An outline planning application to build 220 homes on the current Kenilworth Rugby Club ground has been submitted to WDC by Bloor Homes.
"The application is for the demolition of all existing structures and the erection of up to 220 dwellings (170 dwellings on the Cowpatch site, and 50 dwellings on KRFC Ground site), with associated access, sustainable urban drainage systems, open space, landscaping, drainage and ancillary infrastructure and ground remodelling," the report said.
Kenilworth Town Council has objected to the application, raising concerns about access to the site - as well as other issues.
Meanwhile at the club's new site off Warwick Road - which already has planning permission - work is already underway relocating newts to the three new ponds. This needs to be completed before any work building the new ground can begin.
Kenilworth Wardens
WDC continues to work with Kenilworth Wardens to prepare a planning application to relocate to the land next to Castle Farm.
Warwick District Council has already provided £712,000 to help the club relocate from Glasshouse Lane to Castle Farm, with its current ground allocated for houses in the local plan.
WDC's cabinet signed off on a further £300,000 in forward funding last September with a report saying the project would "probably not go ahead" unless the council increased its funding.
The most recent update simply says: "WDC continues to work with the Wardens Cricket Club to enable them to prepare a deliverable planning application to relocate to the land adjacent to Castle Farm.
"Securing permission for this land will enable the site at Glasshouse Lane to be released for redevelopment."
The Pavilions
Bovis Homes are still building homes on The Pavilions site off Warwick Road.
The Pavilions comprises of 125 dwellings in total - after plans to build four more homes were withdrawn.
The majority of the dwellings are complete with remaining plots 92 - 125 under construction; these are due to be completed by September 2023.
Local councillors have continued to put pressure on the developer to finish the play area at the site.
A project started by the town council to improve safety along Warwick Road is underway, with a formal consultation expected soon.
Kenilworth School
The new school on Glasshouse Lane is still on track to open in September 2023.
The physical works will be completed by mid-summer allowing for the relocation from Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane sites.
Road works in relation to the school project commenced on the 10 April 2023 and are ongoing. However, some will not start until the autumn.
"The existing secondary school at Leyes Lane and sixth form school at Rouncil Lane, upon becoming vacant in September will be secured and prepared for redevelopment," the report adds.
"WDC are the landowners for these sites. Planning applications are being prepared with the intention of submitting them, later this year."
Woodside Hotel
Prior approval to demolish the former manor house was granted earlier this year.
"Prior Approval for the demolition of all existing buildings on site was approved on 27 April due to the limitations of the regulations associated with this type of application," the council report said.
"The building despite being locally listed is not afforded the same level of protection as nationally designated listed building and the process of demolition proposed was in accordance with the regulations."
A separate planning application to build 55 homes on the site is currently being considered.
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