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

Office Block Plans

A senior councillor has finally shed light on Warwickshire County Council's plan to deal with disused offices costing £265,000 per year but warned: "We are not doing it any time soon."

The council has held two secret briefings on the future of its mothballed office block on Barrack Street, Warwick, in recent months, hiding the options appraisal from the public in order to avoid "unnecessary concern or speculation". 

The future of the building has been a bone of contention for years, particularly since it was deemed surplus to requirements in December 2020 with figures showing that business rates, maintenance and the cost of energy to prevent further deterioration were totalling more than a quarter of a million pounds per year.

Read the full story here.

Planning Battle Ended

A Warwick gym which opened without the correct planning permission in place has been given the green light to stay open by councillors.

Foundry Gym has been granted planning permission to convert Horizon House from a vehicle rental unit to a gym, months after opening.

Warwick District Council's planning committee granted the change of use on Tuesday (April 14), bringing an end to the long-running saga.

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Read the full story here.

Park's Future

Locals are being invited to view the plans ahead of the development of Tachbrook Country park.

Warwick District Council in partnership with Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council is aiming to start the construction phase of one of the area's largest public spaces later this year (2026).

The new 49-hectare (121-acre) Tachbrook Country Park is located within access to the new housing developments and schools in Warwick, Whitnash and Bishop's Tachbrook.

Read more here.

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