Here are the biggest planning stories from the last week in and around Leamington.

1. Green light for redevelopment of 36 new apartments

 Plans to demolish existing buildings and redevelop them into 36 one-bedroom apartments in Leamington have been granted.

The plans, submitted by Orbit Group, regard 1 to 49 Rusina Court, Ranelagh Terrace in South Leamington.

The site currently contains a total of 49 flats (29 one-bedroom flats and 20 bedsit units) managed by Orbit Group, which are to be replaced with 36 modern, energy-efficient homes for rent.

In the delegated report the Council concluded: "The proposal would provide replacement affordable housing in a sustainable location. 

"The existing affordable housing is of poor quality and the development would provide a much higher standard of living accommodation that is also more energy efficient."

View the full planning application here.

The new three-storey buildings will be arranged in two separate blocks, with each block containing 18 one and two-bedroom apartments (image via planning application)

2. New pizzeria

Leamington Spa may soon welcome a new pizzeria if plans submitted by Crustworthy Pizza are approved. 

The application requests permission to convert a storage unit at Victoria Business Centre on Neilson Street into a pizzeria.

The planning application included modifications such as the construction of restrooms for customers and staff, as well as the installation of freestanding modular kitchen units.

The proposed site is unit 19, which is currently vacant. 

The proposal concluded: "We firmly believe that this establishment will make a positive contribution to Leamington Spa by providing a distinctive gathering space within an accessible and thoughtfully designed environment."

View the full story here,

3. Leamington Parade transformation takes a step forward

Plans to transform Parade in Leamington have taken a step forward after councillors voted to transfer money ring-fenced for improvement schemes towards the project.

The Leamington Transformation Board, made up of representatives from Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, and Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, opened up an engagement exercise on its emerging Parade Masterplan at the start of June.

Part of the masterplan includes exploring options to remove vehicular traffic from Parade, with 24/7 exceptions for emergency vehicles, and for delivery vehicles at certain times.

At a recent Warwick District Council Cabinet meeting, councillors voted to transfer £2.5m of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding – money paid into the council by property developers specifically to pay for infrastructure improvements – to fund the next stage of design work, as well as the next stage of the existing improvement scheme at Bath Street.

Read the full article here.

Councillors have to transfer £2.5m for Leamington Parade's transformation (image supplied)