PLANS to build 12 homes at Stoneleigh Abbey would provide a ‘long term future’ for the building, so say trustees.
The group charged with the care of the Grade I listed building have submitted a planning application to build 12 four and five bedroom properties on land known as the ‘Old Sawmill’ on the park’s estate. It would be based next to the existing 12 home development called ‘The Cunnery’.
If given the go-ahead, money raised though the development would be put back into the care of the Abbey, which was founded by the Cistercians in 1154 as a monastic house before being turned into a country home.
A pre-application for the proposals, which was supported by Warwick District Council, included plans for a new visitor centre.
But following advice from Historic England it was dropped from the plans and will be considered by the trust at a later date.
The Stoneleigh Abbey Trust was formed in 1996 and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which purchased the dilapidated estate.
