RESIDENTS and wildlife look set for a much longer wait than anticipated for a new country park in the district.
Despite a planning application being submitted earlier this year to Warwick District Council (WDC), the complicated nature of the Tachbrook Country Park project has meant delays over it going before planning chiefs.
If rubber-stamped, the country park would be the largest public space in the district, stretching across 49 hectare (121 acres) between Leamington, Whitnash, Warwick and Bishop’s Tachbrook.
And since the initial planning application was submitted, WDC officers have been working behind the scenes with partner agencies including developers, ecologists, landscape architects and Warwickshire County Council (WCC) to ensure a smooth transfer of assets.
But, according to WDC, the plans to create the country park are subject to a number of complex legal agreements and require co-ordination with adjacent developers, landowners and utility providers, as well as needing to tie in with the separate applications for the new schools and homes at Oakley Grove in Bishop’s Tachbrook.
WDC’s climate change spokesperson Coun Alan Rhead said: “We are disappointed that the planning application process for the country park is taking longer than anticipated. It is however important that we take considerable care to balance the wide-ranging requirements of all stakeholders and ensure that the land is in the right condition for the successful development of an accessible and sustainable green space for our growing communities.”
While Sean Deeley, Chair of the Tachbrook Country Park Steering Board, as well as a parish councillor, added: “As a parish councillor I am acutely aware of the strong desire of residents to see the country park in Bishop’s Tachbrook open to the public. “As mentioned, many unforeseeable issues have arisen across the three interdependent and concurrent projects. The steering board is grateful to the key stakeholders, county council, land owners, developers and utility providers, for their continued mutual co-operation, which will be essential to ensure that the country park is opened as soon as possible.”
It is hoped the detailed plans for Tachbrook Country Park will be considered by WDC’s planning committee later this year.
The new park, if granted, will be located within easy access on foot or by cycle to the new housing developments and schools in Warwick, Whitnash and Bishop’s Tachbrook and will provide a stunning area for locals to enjoy fresh air, exercise, play and wildlife watching.
The country park will be operated by WDC under an ‘in perpetuity’ land use agreement, to be granted by Bishop’s Tachbrook Parish Council.
Further information and FAQS about Tachbrook Country Park can be found by visiting www.warwickdc.gov.uk/Tachbrook
