Community remains against plans for Costa by Warwick Cemetery despite new designs

By James Smith 9th Jul 2025

An artist's impression of the proposed Costa on Birmingham Road (image via planning application)
An artist's impression of the proposed Costa on Birmingham Road (image via planning application)

Objections have once again flooded in against plans to open a drive thru Costa right next to Warwick Cemetery.

Warwick 27a Ltd has doubled down on its plans for the takeaway at Birmingham Road, unveiling updated designs and plans in May.

The fresh designs include more planting around the coffee shop to screen it from view.

The company submitted drawings of how it proposed the building would look from day one, and after five years.

Residents' Rally

The changes have not been met favourably with over 30 fresh objections having now been made.

Neighbour Mary Taylor said the Costa would be an invasion of her privacy and is not needed in the area.

"This is a residential area not a motorway or shopping park," she wrote. 

"Some years ago, the council drastically altered the road layout to help the traffic flow, and there is no way the junction at Eastley Crescent and Haywood Road could cope. 

"The trees you propose allowing to be cut down are huge and part of our environment. 

"To pretend that by putting shrubbery and a few small ornamental trees will in any way replace them is absurd. 

"Please think of the residents and ratepayers of this area and not the pockets of a large American concern which is already over represented in the area."

An impression of how the proposed site would look upon opening (image via planning application)

Nicholas Sapsford added: "This will ruin the view of the local residents from their houses and also when they are out on walks. 

"The traffic management around the entrance to Eastley Crescent is already poor and this would only make things worse."

And Bradley Stevens also raised concerns about the environmental impact of the Costa.

"We are also deeply concerned about the environmental impact of the proposal," their objection said. 

"The development would see the complete removal of a well-established wooded area, including over 20 mature trees. 

"The revised landscaping plans do little to address this loss. New planting, however well-intentioned, cannot compensate for the destruction of a mature natural habitat. 

"The so-called Landscape Management Plan offers no real reassurance, as it is unenforceable and unlikely to be prioritised once the site is operational. 

"In reality, the site is more likely to become a poorly maintained commercial plot, surrounded by litter and neglected greenery."

How the developer says the Costa will look like after five years (image via planning application)

Developer Doubles Down

In its latest application, Warwick 27a Ltd stated a hedge will be planted so from 'day one' it is "providing a strong structural base and visual barrier".

Meanwhile semi-mature maple trees will be planted behind as well as other plants, meaning the screen will develop over the years.

The new report states: "The landscape design for our Haywood Road, Warwick Costa development embodies a sustainable, biodiversity-led approach that enhances both the ecological and social value of the space. 

"The proposed landscape design has been carefully developed to provide both an immediate visual screen to the new Costa unit and a long-term enhancement in local biodiversity."

See the full application here.

     

Please Support Us Warwick. Your Town. Your News. Your Support Matters.

Local news is essential for our community — but it needs your support.
By becoming a monthly supporter, you’ll help us continue delivering reliable local stories and events.
Your support makes a real difference to Warwick.
Monthly supporters will enjoy:
Ad-free experience

Share:


Sign-up for our FREE newsletter...

We want to provide warwick with more and more clickbait-free news.

     

...or become a Supporter.
Warwick. Your Town. Your News.

Local news is essential for our community — but it needs your support.
Your donation makes a real difference.
For monthly donators:
Ad-free experience