Local residents have been told to stay away from the land which will become Tachbrook Country Park, while preparation work for its redevelopment continues.

Warwick District Council signed off on plans for the new 40-hectare public space last November, following lengthy delays to the project.

However, the area still remains under private ownership while the process of land transfer continues.

As such the council has told residents it is currently unsuitable for public access, and that the ground conditions are "unknown and potentially hazardous".

Chief executive, Chris Elliott said: "We fully appreciate the keenness, particularly of those living within close proximity to see the country park open to the public, however as a local authority we have a duty of care to keep our residents safe.

"It's therefore important that we reinforce the message that by entering this land you are not only trespassing, but also at risk of coming to harm."

The creation of the new country park is subject to a "number of complex legal agreements and coordination with adjacent developers, landowners and utility providers" the council said.

In a simultaneous project the district council continues to work with Warwickshire County Council, on plans which will see a cycle route between Warwick and Bishop's Tachbrook, providing a traffic free access between the new housing developments and new schools.

Mark Ryder, strategic director for communities at Warwickshire County Council, added: "We have secured funding from the Government's Active Travel Fund and developer contributions to create a new route between Europa Way and the new schools being built at Oakley Grove. Concept designs are being developed for this route with a view to construction taking place before the schools open.

"The route will form an important part of the expanding active travel network in Warwick and Leamington Spa and supports the Council's ambition for cycling to be the go-to travel choice, particularly for short urban journeys."

Stretching between Bishop's Tachbrook, Whitnash, Leamington Spa and Warwick, Tachbrook Country Park will become one of the largest green spaces in the district connecting the new housing developments to Oakley School and other major public amenities planned for the area.

Read more about the country park plans here.

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