New plans for Castle Pavilion conversion submitted

The pavilion, a former stable owned by Warwickshire County councillor Alan Cockburn, will be converted into a residential building should the plans be approved.

Similar plans to convert the building have been repeatedly refused.

The new plans have reduced the size of the outdoor area set to be converted to the ‘absolute minimum’, which agents believe will increase the chances of Warwick District Council granting planning permission for the conversion.

In a planning statement, the agent said: “there is no reason why the council should not support my client’s proposals.”

The previous plans have been controversial because of the pavilion’s proximity to the Brays, part of the defensive outerworks of Kenilworth Castle and classed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

One such plan was refused in March 2015 due to the ‘intrinsic harm that arose from inappropriateness, the loss of rural character and the harm to the setting of the ancient monument, registered park and garden and the conservation area.’

An appeal to overturn that decision was dismissed later that year.

A further plan to convert the pavilion was submitted in December 2015 and was eventually refused permission in March 2016.

The district council refused the application due it being an ‘inappropriate development.’ The council also said the conversion ‘would have a significant impact upon the rural character and appearance of this land.’

Kenilworth Town Council’s planning committee will make its recommendations on the plan at a meeting on Thursday April 28.

Warwick District Council have yet to announce a date when a decision will be made.