Here are the biggest local planning stories from the past week.

Office Block's Future

Warwickshire County Council's "mothballed" office block in the heart of Warwick is still costing £265,000 per year. 

The revelation came during Tuesday's last full council meeting before May's local elections and included the final set of portfolio holder questions to be faced by deputy leader Cllr Peter Butlin, the political lead on finance and property who is not standing for re-election.

Cllr John Holland asked about the county council's Barrack Street offices which are no longer in use, although the multi-storey car park underneath is still used by staff and councillors. 

Read more here

Paddling Pool Progress

Work is well underway on a "much-needed upgrade" for the paddling pool in St Nicholas Park.

Warwick District Council (WDC) started works on site at the start of February and are due to finish in "early summer".

The works will see non-slip surfaces, improved pool surrounds, jets and fountains with free-standing shades, and benches around the outside for parents installed.

Read the full story here.

Care Home's Return

Council planners have given the green light to turn a Victorian Villa back into a care home.

Warwick District Council has granted planning permission for Clarence House on Warwick New Road to become a 21-bed residential facility.

The building had previously been a care home until being turned into a 23-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in 2016.

Read the full story here.

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