Plans submitted to build supported living appartments in Leamington

The application, made by HB Villages Developments Limited, includes a two-storey residential building comprising 16 self-contained one-bedroom supported living apartments, with associated landscaping and car parking.

A covering letter for the application states: “The scheme will provide high quality specialised accommodation for vulnerable adults with physical and learning disabilities, to be managed and operated by Inclusion Housing and Lifeways.

“The application submission is supported by a range of documents, which collectively demonstrate that the site is a suitable and sustainable location for residential development, and that the

proposal is consistent with the development plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.”

The site has been the subject of much controversy since the old All Saints Primary School building there was burnt down in a fire in 2009.

Before then the school building had been used by community groups and services and as a nursery as part of Bath Place Community venture.

But the venture was forced to relocate to the Old Library in Avenue Road, which has now been sold and renovated as block of residential apartments.

Bath Place’s management team made plans to build a new centre at the school site but these proposals were turned down by Warwickshire County Council in favour of HB Villages’.

At the time Clayton Denwood, operations manager for Bath Place wrote an open letter to the council’s leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe and deputy leader Alan Cockburn in which he said the decision showed “a deep disregard for local people, the important tradition of the voluntary sector and also, public heritage and history.”

In response Cllr Cockburn said he took issue with the suggestion the council had ‘turned its back’ on Bath Place and added that it had supported the venture at various premises including making a financial investment to make one building suitable for purpose.

He added that HB Villages’ plan would meet an identified need and will benefit vulnerable residents by providing appropriate care accommodation.”