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

1. Application to turn HMO into flats 

A planning application has been submitted to convert a house in multiple occupation (HMO) into eight self-contained flats in Leamington Spa.

The proposal, submitted earlier this month, seeks permission to redevelop 59 Russell Terrace, which currently operates as a 22-person HMO, into a total of eight flats, comprising two one-bedroom units, five two-bedroom units, and one three-bedroom unit.

Plans for the site, located south of the River Leam and Jephson Gardens, include internal reconfiguration to improve its functionality and space efficiency. 

The planning documents state: "The development has been carefully designed to respect the character of the building and its historic setting while significantly improving the quality and usability of both internal and external spaces."

Externally, the property would largely retain its current appearance, with planning documents noting: "The external appearance of the building will remain the same, with the exception of three minor proposed changes to the North and West elevations."

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Externally, the property would largely retain its current appearance (image via Rickett Architects. Leamington Spa)

2. New homes

Plans to demolish a Heathcote house and a number of huts to make way for six new homes have been given the green light.

Warwick District Council has given planning permission for the building on Gallagher Way to be flattened, with the land due to be developed into two, four-bed homes. 

The rest of the space is earmarked for four 'self-build' plots, designs of which have not been put forward.

Originally, the proposals were for two six-bed homes, but the sizes were reduced during the planning process. 

This will keep them "similar to properties to the west of the site along Gallagher Way".

The development will see a new shared private drive built for the future self-build plots.

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Designs for the proposed houses off Gallagher Way (image via planning application)

3. Leamington Football Club's new stadium 

Leamington Football Club's long wait for a new stadium is set to be extended, with doubt cast over whether it will happen at all.

The Brakes have been working with Warwick District Council for more than a decade to get a new centrally-located base off the ground with land allocated near to Fusiliers Way. 

The stadium is the third element of development scheduled to follow Myton Path, a footpath and cycleway connecting Myton Road and Fusilier's Way and a new athletics facility. 

Those projects form part of a wider masterplan for the area. 

Initial design work shows a 4,000-capacity ground with an artificial pitch and the inclusion of community uses around fitness, parent and toddler, education and health provision. 

In March 2024, fans were presented with a vision including detailed floor plans for a three-storey main stand with a view to starting construction in January 2027 in time for the Brakes to open in July 2028.

However, earlier this month, the cabinet – the panel of Green and Labour councillors in charge of major service areas – approved a revised list of projects to be funded by the council's community infrastructure levy (CIL) receipts, which is money paid by housing developers. 

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