Council planners have recommended a scheme to build five new flats in the centre of Warwick be approved, despite the objections of locals and the town council.

Corstorphine and Wright has applied for planning permission to demolish a shop used for selling second-hand cars to make way for a two and three-storey block of apartments  on the corner of Cross Street and Priory Road.

Councillors will make a decision on the application at next week’s Warwick District Council planning committee meeting, with a report from officers saying the scheme should be approved.

“The principle of development is considered acceptable having regard to both the ‘loss’ of the existing use operating from the site, as well as the provision of new residential development in this highly sustainable town centre location within the urban area of Warwick,” the report said.

“Insofar as access, layout and scale is concerned, the development is considered by officers to be acceptable having regard to the visual amenities of the area and wider street scene. 

“The proposed height and scale of the development would be similar to surrounding patterns of development and in turn, the development would not be considered detrimental to the character and appearance of the Warwick conservation area.”

The space is currently used to sell second hand cars (image by Nub News)

There have been 15 objections from locals who have raised concerns around the lack of parking, the location and impact on neighbouring properties.

Warwick Town Council has also objected to the development, citing concerns over cycle parking and whether the bin store is of sufficient capacity.

Meanwhile, in the application, the developers wrote: "It is considered that the proposal does not result in harm to the amenity of the character of the area, Conservation Area and the amenity of neighbouring properties.

"It is also considered that, subject to the submission of a Unilateral Undertaking, the proposal would not result in harm to parking standards within the local area.

"Appropriate living standards for future occupants would be acceptable.

"We therefore believe the proposal would benefit Warwick by providing much-needed housing and that the proposal should be supported."

See the full council report here.

There have been multiple objections to the application (images via Nub News)