The co-chair of an advisory group which will help decide where 35,000 new homes are built in Warwick and Stratford districts has said he must step down as he criticised the council's hierarchy of "actively seeking to kill it at birth".

During last week's full Warwick District Council leader, Cllr Andrew Day said he had reached the "sad conclusion" he must quit the "sham" of a group which is working to help create the new South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP).

The Conservative councillor criticised the current council leader, Cllr Ian Davison, for not being "prepared to take tough decisions" and said he had raised concerns about which councillors were allowed onto the committee.

In particular he pointed the finger at Green councillor Kyn Aizlewood and claimed the Kenilworth Abbey and Arden representative had vocalised his opposition to the plan he is supposed to be helping to create.

"The Green Party's nominee to the advisory group - Cllr Kyn Aizlewood - has previously breached confidence in sharing sensitive information," Cllr Day claimed, "and has now given details which are privileged to this advisory group to advance his political views by engaging CPRE [Council for the Protection of Rural England] and advising councillors he will not be supporting the new local plan. 

"Despite raising these serious issues with you [Cllr Davison] and Cllr King, you have refused to take action to restore the probity of the advisory group. 

"I ask you, how can members be expected to share politically sensitive views when considering matters critical to making our new local plan? 

"Given that amongst them sits a member who is clearly working against the common effort. 

"This administration, through the appointment of…Cllr Aizlewood to this advisory group, is at best disinterested in making a viable local plan, or at worst actively seeking to kill it at birth." 

The advisory group has ten councillors on it - five from each of Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils. Cllr Day also criticised the fact Warwick councillors are often unable to attend meetings due to work commitments, and said therefore Stratford members are having a bigger influence.

His words came during a wider meeting where the political future and stability of the council came under scrutiny.

The meeting was called to address councillors' concerns after public resignations and spats within the council's Green-Labour leadership group.

In response, Cllr Davison said he wished the former leader had handled the address differently and said he would have rather been given the opportunity to discuss the issue further.

"I am happy to make tough decisions but I don't like to do it as knee jerk things, I do want to talk to people, get sound advice," he said.

He added: "Do hear the case for the defence before trying to make a judgement."

Councillors also questioned how the green belt will be protected through the new local plan.

The next consultation on the SWLP is expected to take place at the end of 2025.

After the results of this are fed back, the SWLP will be nearing completion, and will be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. This could be in September 2026.

Already delayed, the SWLP will not be finished until the end of 2027 - providing there are no more hold ups.

Nub News has approached Cllr Aizlewood for comment.