Warwick's 2023 in 12 stories and photographs
By James Smith
6th Jan 2024 | Local News
Having published over 1,500 stories about Warwick last year, we have picked one story from each month to help summarise 2023.
The news locally this year has been dominated by planning applications,
But we have tried to reduce each month to just one story and one photograph.
January
The year started with the latest instalment in the seemingly non-ending saga around the proposed chicken farm in Norton Lindsey.
Access issues scuppered the latest plans to build two replacement poultry houses on Ward Hill, in Norton Lindsey.
Similar proposals were twice thrown out by Warwick District Council and subsequent appeals were dismissed.
And now another appeal has been launched to try and force through the plans.
February
In February, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust revealed the designs for the first stage of a major redevelopment project at Warwick Hospital.
The trust has since been given planning permission, and begun works on the scheme which will the existing entrance demolished and replace with a three-storey "state-of-the-art" extension.
The scheme forms phase one of the trust's masterplan to improve facilities at the 474-bed hospital.
Visitors were then able to use the new entrance for the first time in October
March
In March it was announced that new owners would take over at The Old Post Office.
Tom Douglas, pillar of the Warwick licensed trade and well-known character around town, announced a new phase in the life of the multi award winning pub in West Street.
Following the sale of Rigsby's cellar bar (now The Eagle) in 2022, wife and husband partnership Rachel Silverthorne and Tim Maccabee will take on The Old Post Office from April 10 2023, reuniting the two pubs under one ownership.
The duo have since completed a major refurbishment at the Post Office.
April
More planning news came in April, with the designs for a new primary school submitted to Warwickshire County Council.
Managed by Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust, the outline application for the Fusiliers Way school was given the green light by councillors in June.
Detailed plans are being considered by the council but applications for Reception places opened in November - even though children at the school will have to be based at Oakley School until the new facility is complete.
May
May was dominated by the local elections which saw a huge shake up at both Warwick Town Council and Warwick District Council.
The elections - which were followed that weekend by the coronation of King Charles III - saw major losses for the Conservatives.
The Greens became the biggest party at the district levels, although they did not secure a majority.
Meanwhile Labour had huge success at the town council level.
Our live coverage on the day was read by thousands, as we kept readers up to date with the results of every ward as they came through.
June
June brought the news that the former Frankie & Benny's at Tachbrook Park Drive is set to be knocked down and turned into two fast food outlets, after plans were signed off by the district council.
The closed restaurant at Leamington Shopping Park will be replaced by a KFC and possibly a Five Guys, the application submitted to Warwick District Council (WDC) revealed.
First submitted in 2021, the scheme will see two 'drive thrus' created - with the unit designed for Five Guys the larger of the two.
July
As the hot weather settled in, residents in Heathcote and around the area began to complain about swarms of flies invading their homes.
Fed-up locals blamed a combination of scorching temperatures and 'No Mow May' for the clouds of flies buzzing around the bustling suburb.
Others say the 123+ waste collections have fuelled the number of bugs breeding.
Public meetings were held as the year went on, but residents continued to be bugged by the problems.
August
In August the upgrades at Warwick Station were paused after Victorian remains were found.
Network Rail was midway through work to install new lift shafts down into the station's subway to provide step-free access to both platforms for the first time.
However, workers have found foundations believed to be from the first railway station built on the site in 1852 - which lasted just 42 years before being destroyed by fire in 1894.
Network Rail said the foundations were not recorded in the plans of what was then rebuilt 129 years ago.
The near 200-year-old walls now lie right where the lifts were due to go, and the substructure cannot be disturbed as it is "integral to the existing building and platform".
September
September brought the shocking news that a 17-year-old boy was allegedly attacked with a hammer in Tapping Way on Saturday 16 September.
Two teenagers were then charged following the incident.
October
October's highlight was perhaps the strangest news story of the year - 'South Warwickshire road closed to investigate human remains which turned out to be life-size doll'
Following a call from a member of the public, Warwickshire Police cordoned off a section of Lighthorne Road near Kineton to investigate what was believed to be human remains!
However, a forensic pathologist called to the scene quickly announced the body parts were actually those of a "realistic life-size doll".
November
The penultimate month of the year saw the build up to the highly-anticipated opening of The Range at Leamington Shopping Park.
While the new store technically opened on December 1, the first lucky customers were invited in the day before as staff has a 'dry run'.
The new shop has been created by merging two units, previously occupied by Argos and Outfit.
Planning permission for the development was signed off by Warwick District Council earlier in the year, and has also seen a new mezzanine floor built - accessible by lift and escalator.
December
As with the year before, the community were out in force this December to see the hundreds of tractors make their way through South Warwickshire.
This time finishing at Balsall and Berkswell Rugby Club, the tractors left Stoneleigh and made their way through Leamington Spa, Warwick and then Kenilworth, with thousands of people lining the streets to see them.
The event raised lots of money for WFYFC and The Myton Hospice.
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