What lessons have been learned from issues at other housing estates in the town, is the question a Kenilworth councillor has asked ahead of a major planning meeting tonight (June 16).

Cllr Richard Dickson has submitted a series of questions to planners at Warwick District Council (WDC) before a decision on 224 new houses on Leyes Lane is made.

The council's planning committee will decide on Homes England's application for the former Kenilworth School site, with a new 75-bed care home also included in the plans.

Before councillors vote on the application, Cllr Dickson asked for clarity on a number of topics, including what the council has learned from other new estates across the town.

He asked: "What lessons have been learned by county highways from the huge delays in signing the S278 agreement for the pedestrian crossing on Leamington Road for the Kenilworth Gate and Thickthorn Gardens that have been applied in this application?"

A response from the council said: "That situation was slightly different due to the scale of what was proposed i.e. signal junction, LILO [left-in, left-out] etc and the need for a temporary construction access.

"In this scenario the works are much simpler with 'standard' junctions proposed for the site accesses and there is existing infrastructure in this area, unlike the above where the existing infrastructure was/is very limited."

The Liberal Democrat councillors also asked how the council's environmental health team will monitor noise and dust during the construction for neighbouring residents.

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"The CMP [construction management plan] would require appropriate measures to control noise and dust which would need to be to the satisfaction of our environmental health colleagues," a WDC response said.

"The site would thereafter be monitored to ensure compliance with the CMP and matters relating to noise and dust etc would be assessed in conjunction with our environmental health officers."

Answers to Cllr Dickson's other questions revealed the CMP will have conditions to stop deliveries happening on site at busy times of the day, for example when children are walking to and from school.

It is also "likely" construction traffic would not be allowed on Crewe Lane where there is no pavement.

Security on the Leyes Lane site was also a key issue.

"This would be for the housebuilder to manage with their contractors," the council said.

"Security is a significant issue, especially with reported thefts from construction sites.

"It would not be for the LPA [council] to control but I would suggest that this would be a priority area for any developer to have a robust management plan in place."

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