A HUGE development of up to 785 homes south of Leamington has been given the green light.
Plans for the scheme between Europa Way and Harbury Lane near Heathcote include a new primary school, shops and a community centre.
It falls within an area allocated for 1,505 new homes – the largest site in Warwick District Council’s Local Plan which outlines proposals for 12,860 homes to be built by 2029.
The Save Warwick Group continues to fight the plan having questioned whether that target is exaggerated.
Spokesman David Williams said: “In the face of residents’ opinions that they do not want to see excessive growth, officers continue to press for the approval of even more development and base their recommendations on development proposals on out of date figures.
“There is therefore the potential for the floodgates to open even wider and that over the next few years Warwick will be disastrously changed with its roads and services overwhelmed by the consequences of all this new development triggered by greed rather than need.”
Both Whitnash Town Council and the Heathcote Park Residents Association had objected to the scheme having raised concerns about traffic in the area.
Bishop’s Tachbrook Parish Council had said the homes would intrude on rural views from the village and 35 local residents had contacted the council to protest against the plans.
The application – granted outline planning permission on Tuesday (August 19) – includes more than 300 affordable homes.
Developers Gallager Estates Ltd will contribute around £13.7million toward improving local services, including an estimated £602,880 for a country park between the site and neighbouring Bishop’s Tachbrook.
And more than £6m will be paid toward providing extra school places including the extension of Myton and Campion schools.
The area around Europa Way is already the focus of several other developments.
In April permission was given for around 200 homes further along Harbury Lane on the other side of Heathcote Park.
And in June plans for 220 homes between Harbury Lane and Heathcote Lane – not included in the Local Plan – were also given the go-ahead.
