PLANS for a long-awaited country park in Warwick district are set for the green light when they go before planning chiefs next week.
Tachbrook Country Park is set to be the district’s largest public space if given the seal of approval by Warwick District Council’s (WDC) planning committee when it meets on Tuesday November 8.
Planning officers have recommended councillors grant the application, which has been hit by repeated delays getting to committee stage due to its “complicated nature”.
The planning application for the 49 hectare (121 acres) country park stretching between Leamington, Whitnash, Warwick and Bishop’s Tachbrook was submitted to WDC earlier this year.
The “hybrid application” for the creation of a country park includes a refreshment centre, allotments, community growing area and community orchards, children’s play areas, car parking, foot and cycle paths, timber pedestrian bridge crossings over the Tach Brook and associated drainage, landscaping, infrastructure and ground works.
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.
According to a statement released by WDC back in September, the plans to create the country park have been subject to a number of complex legal agreements and required 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.
But now the country park finally looks set for the go-ahead with key support from Bishop’s Tachbrook Parish Council who referred to it as a “long awaited amenity for residents”.
Parish councillors were in favour of the provision of green infrastructure, a refreshment centre – which will provide a venue for people to meet – and pathways to provide safe and healthier routes to explore the parish.
There have, however, been a number of concerns raised by residents including the safety of the country park – notably the southern most corner – the proximity of footpaths to the new housing, a loss of country park land as the school is developed, the impact on wildlife during construction, and whether the allotments are necessary.
The official planning documents state the proposed country park should be granted on the basis it will deliver a key piece of green infrastructure, enhance biodiversity, assist with health and well-being and provide community facilities such as orchards and allotments.
If approved, 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
