THE LONG-running battle to build a large housing development in Leamington has been taken into new hands.
Agricultural land off Chesterton Gardens near Asda has been bought by developer Belway Homes after many frustrated attempts by previous owner AC Lloyd to make a development of almost 200 homes a reality.
Belway Homes saw its own variation of an outline planning application for 185 homes granted by members of Warwick District Council’s planning committee at a recent meeting.
But campaigners remain steadfast in their commitment to make sure any contentious aspects of the planning application are ironed out.
District ward councillor Will Roberts said: “All of those of us who have campaigned on this for so long have successfully stopped the build without the second access so far and we are not going to stop now.”
He continued that the variations included in Belway Homes version of the planning application were meant to be minor but include a “foul” water pumping station.
He added: “Belway Homes need to be upfront with residents on matters like this and work with us on delivering a second access road. I will be looking to meet with them shortly.”
Previous plans for 200 homes on the land between Whitnash and Sydenham were the subject of fierce debate for a number of years, with WDC refusing permission a number of times.
The plans prompted a raft of objections, including from Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western, Coun Roberts, Leamington Town Council, Whitnash Town Council, Radford Semele Parish Council, together with many residents.
Mr Western argued the original plans were not sustainable and were contrary to the council’s own local plan.
But in 2021 a government planning inspector said there was no reason to withhold planning permission.
AC Lloyd withdrew its application in the summer of 2023 after the government called in the plans following the granting of outline permission by WDC the previous December.
Revised plans were granted by WDC in April last year.
They had been met with a flood of objections, including many of the previous arguments – increased traffic, concerns about the environmental impact to the lack of a separate access road.
Belway Homes will still need to apply for full planning permission to actually build the homes, a number of which would be affordable.
