Campaigners to fight plans for 700 houses on greenbelt

Residents have launched a campaign to oppose the development of more than 700 homes on greenbelt land in south Kenilworth.

Proposals for multiple areas of land are being considered as part of the South Warwickshire Local Plan, Warwick District Council confirmed.

Catesby Estates is handling proposals west of Rouncil Lane and said it was "appropriate to explore" whether the sites met local housing needs.

Richborough Estates, meanwhile, has a live planning application for land east of Rouncil Lane, and has been approached for comment.

Malcom Lines, from the Save Our Fields campaign group, said people were opposed because Kenilworth was already "gridlocked" and there were no new roads or infrastructure to support more houses.

He said: "It just seems that they are making the wrong choices when other options could be available and are available."

Lines, who has lived in the area for 30 years, agreed there was a need for affordable housing in Kenilworth but the choice of land wouldn't support the plans.

Although the sites are on greenbelt land, developers believe it could be reclassified under "grey belt" guidelines.

Robert Jones, who has lived in the area for more than 25 years, said the proposals go "against National Planning Policy Framework and we believe it just shouldn't happen".

"Part of the land that developers are looking to use is heritage land and part of the former deer park of Kenilworth Castle," he said.

"It's going to impact adversely on everyone in this area and there is no way that any of us can see a positive aspect of this. The whole landscape will change, the architectural nature of the housing in the area will change."

Catesby Estates said there were no "designated heritage assets and similarly, no non-designated archaeological assets" on the sites.

Save Our Fields has launched a petition and raised £6,000 on GoFundMe, which the group said would pay for lawyers and experts to fight the plans.

The council said it was working with Stratford Town Council to prepare a Local Plan, which sets out the strategic vision, objectives and spatial strategy for the South Warwickshire area.

It said 55,000 homes were required to be built in South Warwickshire over the next 25 years, in line with government requirements, and the Local Plan would be independently examined.

A spokesperson added: "Residents and other interested parties with views on the plan are encouraged to respond to the consultation."

People have until 8 September to respond.