Here are the biggest local planning stories in Leamington from the past week.

Bank prepares for closure

A bank branch which is set to close its Leamington site is preparing to remove its branding and signage.

Plans have been submitted for decommissioning works at the Halifax bank branch on Parade, including the removal of modern signage, fascia panels, projecting signs and other branded elements attached to the building's façade, as well as the external ATM.

It comes after Halifax bank announced several closures including its Leamington site, citing a significant shift in customer banking habits towards digital services.

Read more here.

New recycling bins

New dual recycling and litter bins have been installed in Leamington to help residents and visitors recycle on the go, with more than 800kg of material diverted from landfill since they were installed in June.

The bins have been installed in high footfall areas including Parade in Leamington, Market Place in Warwick, Abbey End in Kenilworth and Acre Close in Whitnash.

Previously, all waste was placed in standard litter bins, meaning recyclable materials often became contaminated and could not be recycled.

View the full story here.

New commercial units boost jobs

Construction is gathering pace on a new commercial development near Warwick and Leamington, which is set to provide space for small and medium-sized businesses and support up to 85 jobs.

Groundworks have now been completed at Greville Business Park, which is being developed by Warwickshire Property & Development Group (WPDG) and the steel framework for 11 high-quality commercial units is being erected.

The development will provide 28,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space across units ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 sq ft, offering a range of opportunities for established businesses, growing companies and new ventures.

Click here to read the full story.