Plan for 220 homes in Warwick Gates has now been approved

Gallagher Estates, which recently withdrew two other applications for housing estates close to the site, will now move forward with its plan for the development on land north of Harbury Lane.

Council officers had encouraged councillors on the committee to vote in favour of the application, which will also include children’s play space, footpaths and cycleways and drainage infrastructure.

In her report to the committee, officer Penny Butler said: “Consultees have confirmed that contributions from the developer are agreeable and that appropriate provision will be made to address the increased service demands of the development.

“The development would also make a financial contribution towards improved public transport and walking and cycling routes.

“It would deliver economic benefits through the generation of employment during the construction phase and from the increased population, which would contribute towards increased expenditure in the local area and dependance on local facilities.”

But the council had received objections from from Bishops Tachbrook parish council and the town councils of Warwick and Whitnash, while health authorities have asked for Gallagher to contribute £346,047 towards building a new ward at Warwick Hospital and other health facilities due to the increased pressure on services the development would create.

The site has been set within the council’s ‘preferred option’ for new housing in its Local Plan, which has set a target of 12,300 new homes in the district by 2029.

Land for about half of these has already been earmarked for the south of Warwick and Leamington. The two applications - one for 720 homes south of Harbury Lane and another to build 370 homes to the west of Europa Way - that Gallagher has withdrawn were to form part of that.

Residents in Warwick, Leamington and Whitnash have been very vocal in their opposition - and they have the backing of Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White, who has criticised the Local Plan for the volume of housing allocated to the south of the district.