A planning inspector has given the green light for controversial plans to turn a former Warwick car showroom into shops, after the application was originally refused by councillors.

Warwick District Council’s (WDC) planning committee threw out the application from Warwickshire Partnership, at the third attempt earlier this year.

The application was refused due to a perceived lack of parking and the impact this would have on the neighbouring roads.

But now the developer has ultimately been granted planning permission after submitting an appeal to the planning inspectorate.

The report from the planning inspector said: "There is no substantive evidence before me that there is a shortage of on-street car parking within the area at peak times or that where on-street parking does occur this leads to problems with the free flow of traffic and the safe operation of the highway including emergency vehicle access.

"Thus, in the event that the car park did reach its capacity, parking on the surrounding roads could be accommodated without harm to the operation of the highway network or parking stress for nearby residents, and there is no evidence that this would lead to inappropriate parking on the public highway and elsewhere."

See the full application and appeal here.

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