Wartime history honored as plans for memorial plaque approved on historic Leamington building
Plans to place a 'special interest plaque' on a historic Leamington Spa building have been granted.
Planning permission for the plaque was proposed in late February this year (2025).
The plaque will commemorate the Regent Hotel, which is located on the Parade, and its "significant" role as the central base for many camouflage units during the Second World War.
Historic England raised no concerns regarding the works.
The applicant, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, supported the proposal; however, because it was also the applicant, its supporting comment was given only limited weight in the decision.
The decision statement noted that the overall impact of the proposed Special Interest Plaque was considered to be neutral and stated: "The plaque will give a further layer of interest to this heritage asset, recognised for its historic and architectural value."
It further noted that the plaque will encourage a greater interest in the period being commemorated, the historic building itself and other historic buildings in the wider district, overall "enhancing the conservation area".
"The plaque indicates that listed buildings can have multiple legacies and historic narratives which can contribute to the recognised special historic and architectural value of heritage assets.
"As such, the proposal is felt to comply with national and local policy and is recommended for approval."
According to the application, the Regent Hotel was damaged during air raids in the Second World War but remained active until the Directorate was wound down in 1944, returning fully to hotel use in 1948.
The plaque is proposed to take position on the wall near the entrance to Rosie's Tea Room.
This is because it is a less prominent side of the building and will allow people to view it "without disrupting pedestrian traffic" and avoid clutter.
The plaque will read details about the Regent Hotel, including its requisition in September 1939 and its dedication to the 'camofluers', which helped develop camouflage to protect important civil and military sites from being bombed by aircraft and from submarine attacks from naval and merchant ships.
In its application, Leamington Spa Town Council wrote: "This plaque would not result in significant harm to the character, historic integrity and appearance of this property and would add to the historical interest of the town.
"It is considered this plaque will have a less than significant harmful effect on the Grade II Listed Building (The Regent Hotel) and that harm will be outweighed by a valuable addition to the historical assets of the town."
Special Interest Plaques (SIPs) differ from Blue Plaques, as they commemorate a specific building where activities of interest took place as opposed to the private residence of an individual.
View the full planning application here.
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