COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Plans have been submitted to Warwick District Council for offices to be built on Warwick Castle Park land.



The grade one listed conservation land, set between the Banbury Road and Stratford Road, was purchased just over a year ago by local businessman Christopher Taylor, and he has submitted an application to covert Leafields Farm buildings into offices, including the demolition of certain other buildings.

The application has received a mixed response, with Warwick Town Council raising concerns that it could lead to further development on the scenic land.

In their written objection they said: “The town council is concerned that the creation of a separate business use within the Castle Park should be a precursor of similar applications, which would be difficult to refuse and could lead, at the very least to a demand for the extension of commercial uses.”

Warwickshire County Council ecology team highlighting concerns about the impact on bats in the area, but English Heritage stated the “harm to the registered park is less than significant”.

Officers have recommended the application be granted, and a decision will be made by the planning committee on Wednesday.

"Castle Park offices will not spark development"

THERE are concerns for the long term future of Warwick’s historic Castle Park after planning permission for offices was granted last week.

The 700-acre Grade I-listed area set between the Banbury Road and Stratford Road was bought at the end of 2010 by local businessman Christopher Taylor, believed to be for close to £4 million.

At the time of the sale the estate agents who handled the deal, John Shepherd & Vaughan, said Mr Taylor intended to increase the pasture land and develop it for grazing and livestock and “to secure the restoration of the parkland”.

This came as a relief to townspeople and nearby residents who had raised concerns that a buyer could come in and develop on the land.

However, a planning application to convert some of the farm buildings at Leafields Farm on the park into offices, and to demolish some of the others, had set alarm bells ringing.

In an objection to the plans, Warwick Town Council had said: “The town council is concerned that the creation of a separate business use within the Castle Park should be a precursor of similar applications, which would be difficult to refuse and could lead, at the very least to a demand for the extension of commercial uses if the principle office use is established.”

The application went in front of Warwick District Council’s planning committee last week who felt the plans would improve the rundown buildings rather than provoke further development.

At the meeting Cllr Michael Kinson (Con, Warwick West) said: “The town council is concerned that more work can be done if this is granted.

“As I understand it, it doesn’t establish a precedent that more work can be done. Their reservations would not be put into force because it’s in a conservation area.”

Planning officer Gary Stevens further allayed concerns that there would be a free reign for further development on the park and added: “Any new buildings would require planning permission. The council would have control of any new buildings.”

The planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the application and Cllr Andrew Mobbs (Con, Kenilworth Park Hill) said: “English Heritage support it and it did win on appeal the construction of offices in 1998, so even if we refuse the application it could still go through.”