Here are the biggest planning stories from the last week in and around Warwick.

Pub Protected

Plans to turn a popular Warwick pub into a house have been refused by Warwick District Council.

The Punch Bowl has been closed since the start of the pandemic, with the owners saying it is no longer commercially viable.

But the council sided with the 120 people objecting to the scheme and turned down the application.

Read more here.

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Solar Farm

A solar farm the size of 50 football pitches could be built along the A46 near Sherbourne.

If approved, the scheme would see four fields on the west side of the road just before the Longbridge roundabout dedicated to generating electricity.

The application, submitted by Neo Environmental Ltd, says the 33.6 hectare green belt site could power more than 7,500 homes.

See the application here.

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Verge Wild Flowers

Plans to create wildlife corridors by cutting grass verges less frequently have been welcomed by county councillors.

The new policy will mean selected stretches along rural roads will only be cut once each year – in August or September – with the aim of encouraging the flowering and seeding of wildflowers.

But councillors have backed the plans providing that residents and motorists don't think the patches of land have been abandoned.

Read the full story here.

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Oakley Wood

A 3,300-metre long stone pathway is set to be laid in Oakley Wood this summer.

A large circuit and smaller loop around the wood will be created by Warwick District Council and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Paths will need to be closed shortly to allow for the work to be carried out.

See the story here.