Councillors will next week decide on plans to double the number of parking spaces and improve security at Warwickshire Police’s Leek Wootton headquarters.

The force has applied for planning permission for a series of works at Woodside House with Warwick District Council’s planning committee due to discuss the application on Tuesday (29 July).

If approved, the plans would see another 362 spaces added, saying it will help alleviate a number of issues on site.

Council planners have recommended the application be approved, but over 40 objections have been received to the plans.

Leek Wootton & Guys Cliffe Parish Council has objected and questioned the data used for assessing the impact on local roads.

The parish council has also said the planned four-metre high lamps will create “extensive light pollution”.

Some 550 full time staff work at Woodcote House in Leek Wootton (image via SWNS)

Residents have also raised concerns about the impact on local roads as well as the loss of five trees to allow for the development.

Meanwhile Sports England has objected as the scheme will see two parking areas and an overflow parking area built on land used for playing fields.

Despite the concerns though, a council report said the plans should be approved.

“The proposal is for various works to the Warwickshire Police HQ to improve the operational efficiency of the site,” it said. 

“The various works proposed have been assessed by officers in conjunction with input from statutory consultees and no objection is raised to the works.

“Subject to the imposition of necessary conditions, officers recommend that the application be granted.

“Officers note the outstanding objection from Sport England and should the scheme receive support from members, the application will be referred to the Secretary of State for final determination.”

The increased parking - to cater for the 550 full-time staff on site at Woodcote House - would be dotted around the site.

A new one-way system will also be introduced as well as new lighting and other safety measures.

These include resurfacing paths and roads, new pedestrian footpaths, CCTV, security barriers, security huts and gates.

"The overriding objective of the proposed development is to deliver adequate capacity of vehicle parking to meet Warwickshire Police's operational needs, to improve pedestrian safety and legibility for staff and visitors and improve site security given the nature of operations," the application explained.

See the council report here.