Plans approved to build 100 homes near super school in Warwickshire

[dutchman]

The homes will be built off Glasshouse Lane in Kenilworth



Nearly 100 new homes have been given the go-ahead near to where a huge new school will be located in Kenilworth. Concerns had been raised over the positioning of the 'affordable housing' off Glasshouse Lane.

But Warwick District Council unanimously supported the 99-home scheme put forward by Avanti Homes. Planning agent Georgina Doyle said that following discussions with council planning officers there had been improvements made to the road layout, housing mix, location of affordable housing and that a community garden had been included.

An increase in the amount of affordable housing was also welcomed by members of Kenilworth Town Council although they maintained their objection to the planning application on other grounds. Cllr Peter Jones said: "Kenilworth Town Council welcomes the revised plan with some bungalows and more affordable housing which has been increased from 30% to 40%.

"We are also highly encouraging that it will be built to the new building regulations which demand a 30% decrease in carbon emissions – so there are some reasons to be cheerful. However, we and many local residents are concerned about the dangers from congestion in the vicinity of the new school."

Kenilworth School and Sixth Form plans to move to a new three-story base at Southcrest Farm, in Glasshouse Lane, in September next year. The huge new build is one of the largest such projects under construction in the UK.

The topic of increased traffic in the area was also raised by members of the planning committee who urged officers to press for a pedestrian and cycle link from the development to the new school site, something that was shown when outline permission was granted in April 2021. Principal Planning Officer Dan Charles said a note could be added urging school bosses to agree to such a link and he also commented on how the bulk of the affordable homes were on part of the site closest to the school.

Planning policy suggests that the 40 properties should be scattered around giving a 'pepper-pot' effect but their location prompted committee chairman Cllr Alan Boad to suggest that it appeared the 'lid had fallen off the pepper pot.' Mr Charles added: “It is a difficult site but, after discussing it with the housing officers, we are generally acceptable although it is not quite as pepper-potted as we would normally accept.”

Councillors were told that seven of the properties would be bungalows and there would also be a small number of taller properties with rooms in the roof space.

[dutchman]

"Glasshouse Lane"