Village is one step closer to becoming a separate parish

The idea of turning Burton Green into a separate parish with its own parish council has been officially supported this week and could be implemented by spring.



A valid petition supporting the proposal with 287 signatures was viewed by Warwick District Council’s Regulatory Committee on Monday.

Members of the committee recommended that the proposal be implemented and it will now continue to go through further consultation.

Burton Green is currently a ward of Stoneleigh Parish Council.

If the plans go ahead the existing Burton Green ward of the Ashow, Burton Green and Stoneleigh joint Parish Council will be established as a separate parish and parish council and Warwick District Council will put in place the necessary procedures to facilitate this.

Cllr George Illingworth (Con, Abbey) said: “The decision will probably be made by the end of the year but it will not be effective until next spring.”

The village of Burton Green has an organisation known as the Burton Green Residents’ Association that has represented the interests of the village since the 1950s.

At present the association is able to elect four members to the Ashow, Burton Green and Stoneleigh joint Parish Council.

The joint parish council has a membership of 14.

Mr A G Smith, who lives in Cromwell Lane, believes the village should not be turned into its own parish due to costs, and the fact that the joint parish council would be stronger to fight issues with HS2.

He said: “I believe the matter could be resolved with the present joint parish council. I am of the mind that it can reflect the interests of the community and would be efficient and convenient.”

However Rona Taylor, chairman of Burton Green Residents Association, said: “The community sees separate parish status as a very important step in the development of Burton Green.

“This is a cohesive, supportive community with a history of taking united, proactive action to support residents and maintain the environment we cherish.

“In the 1980s we successfully opposed the super pit and in the late 1990s mobile phone masts.

“Very serious issues urgently face us in coming to terms with the implications of HS2 and the community needs an active parish council with its finger on the pulse to represent us.

“However, current difficulties are not the main motivation for a separate parish. This status is the next step in the development of our community identity and character, it is an essential part of our vision for the future.”

She added: “A Burton Green Parish Council would contribute to Burton Green life being a shining example of localism in action.”