SUSTAINABLE plans to redevelop Warwick District Council’s (WDC) former Riverside House HQ have been approved.
Following the public consultation on the future regeneration of the site of the HQ on Milverton Hill – which has stood empty for over a year – the WDC Cabinet has approved the draft development brief – subject to an update to strengthen the sustainability principles of the project.
Following the decision, the brief will incorporate the aspiration to achieve net zero carbon in the construction of any new buildings, including affordable housing, and to also explore the opportunity to re-use the demolition materials.
WDC leader Andrew Day commented: “The future of the Riverside House site is of huge importance to both the town of Leamington Spa and the district.
“I am therefore very pleased with the outcome of both the consultation and the recommendations brought forward by Cabinet and am looking forward to moving these plans forward to the next stage.”
The Draft Development Brief is being updated and will be available to view on the Warwick District Council website soon.
Options for the delivery and time-frames for the redevelopment will be considered early next year.
Previous plans for the site included up to 170 new homes, with its sale funding the council’s HQ relocation to a purpose-built HQ at Covent Garden, along with a new 620-space multi-storey car park and private housing. Before permission lapsed in 2018, the plans faced fierce opposition due to concerns around disruption, over-development and lack of affordable housing.
