Despite receiving over fifty objections, plans for two new accommodation blocks in Leamington have been given the greenlight.

Warwick District Council has approved the development of Milverton House on Court Street into residential homes of up to 90 bed spaces and undercroft parking.

However, the council listed 20 pre-commencement which must be met, in order for the development to go ahead including:

1. Reserved Matters
2. Submission of Reserved Matters Timescale
3. Commencement of Development
4. Approved Plans
5. Parameters Plans
6. Ecological and Landscaping Scheme
7. Noise Mitigation
8. Submission of drainage details
9. Construction Management Pla 
10. Low Emission Strategy 
11. Details of External Lighting
12. Construction Management Plan
13. Sustainability Statement
14. Samples of Materials
15. Site Levels/Finished Floor Levels
16. Landscape Replacement Planting
17. Water Efficiency
18. Use Class Restriction
19. Occupancy Restriction
20. Building For Life Construction StatementThe approval comes despite concerns from the local community, including residents and Leamington Spa Town Council.

Plans for the development initially submitted by Chalice Build on 19 August 2024 were refused, for several reasons, including the fact the details "conflicted with the approved outline as they altered matters of access, scale and layout."

The proposed residential development site plan (image via planning application)

The delegated officer report explained the reasoning behind reason for refusal citing four primary areas of conflict: 

• The number of bed spaces 
• The footprint of the buildings
• Changed vehicle access position for Drummond House 
• Changed scale due to the buildings being higher

In early October this year, Leamington Spa Town Council objected to the plans citing issues such as the potential "overlooking and harming the amenity of Tower Street residents," the lack of demonstration of the required housing mix or confirm the level of affordable housing and statement that the "scheme does not provide the preferred types of housing for the Court Street area." 

Other rejections came from local residents, despite the re-consideration of the original plans.

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One objection comment read: "It is very difficult to make sense of the planning application variation but as far as I can tell enough consideration hasn't been made to the original objections.

"This area is not fit for further residential premises and is poorly conceived."

Another resident stated: "I object to the plans...do the District Council want to turn Leamington imto a town full of student housing???? 

"There might be one person in Leamington who won't object."

Despite this, the council granted planning permission on 5 November stating: "Any pre-commencement conditions listed on this decision notice must be discharged before works commence on site. Failure to do this may mean implementation of planning permission is unlawful."

View the full application here.