Parking spaces lost in central Warwick

The town centre development of “affordable” apartments, plus three houses, was the subject of a planning application by the Waterloo Housing Group some months ago, but it was withdrawn at the last minute.

At that time members of Warwick Chamber of Trade were among those lodging formal objections because the flats and houses are to be built on part of the West Rock car park.

Chamber chairman Sue Butcher said: “We are certainly not against the need for more affordable homes in Warwick, but as traders in the town centre we really do object to the loss of 41 much-needed parking spaces.

“This application goes completely against an original joint consultation plan for the town in which new housing would be built on a platform above the West Rock car park, preserving the spaces below.”

Town resident Tony Sarson also objects and said the actual number of parking spaces being lost in the middle of Warwick totals 87.

Mr Sarson said: “The district council has already approved an application for a five-storey block of 37 houses to be built by Waterloo Housing in Theatre Street.

“As part of this application 46 spaces in the nearby Linen Street car park are to be allocated to residents of that new development.”

Several other objections have been received in advance of the application being listed for debate by members of the planning committee.

The district’s tree officer has suggested several trees in the immediate area of the proposed building, including birch, plane, sycamore and maple, should be protected.

Waterloo Housing worked in partnership with the district council on the conversion of the old gas works and fire station at Saltisford into flats.

1 The last date for comments is Tuesday (February 17).