Preferred Options

Members considered that Kenilworth is a viable and thriving Town, and every effort should be made to keep it so. Notwithstanding that, the KS understands that Warwickshire is required to provide extra housing by 2026, and that the WDC have proposed an allocation of 770 houses by 2026 to Kenilworth. KS considers this reasonable and will be supported subject to a number of caveats.

The preferred option of 770 houses to the Thickthorn area bounded by the A46 is agreed. However some of this number could be allocated to Common Lane and other small Town infill areas. This would reduce the Thickthorn site house numbers to below 700.

Members believed that the Thickthorn area should have access to the Traffic island
on the A46, and this land dedicated to offices and high-tech units, not to exceeding two stories in height, and over an area aligned as a sound barrier adjacent to the A46.

Construction should be eco friendly and of sustainable materials with adequate car parking based on better criteria than the 2006 N&J report, i.e. 3 car parking spaces per dwelling - not 1.31 spaces as suggested.

Access via Thickthorn Drive should be avoided. Possible access might be from the junction of Dencer drive/Glasshouse Lane. Possibly a traffic island with lights, and access to the housing/school off the Glasshouse Lane end of the development.

KS would like to see all existing woodlands and boarders to be retained.

Rocky Lane is essential to be preserved, and hopefully incorporated into the creation of new "green spaces".

The new development should include for substantial tree planting and low maintenance green landscaping.

Housing should also not exceed two stories, be eco friendly, have high insulation factors, designed for low running costs, designed from sustainable products.

Consideration should be given for a district heating scheme.

Consideration should be given for the incorporation of photo voltairic panels.

It is essential that adequate off road car parking adjacent to each dwelling is incorporated, and road widths should be wide enough for further parking. We support the N&J report on diagonal street parking, or end on parking. We would like to see three spaces allocated to each dwelling, and more to units over three bedrooms.

The new development should incorporate play area's.

The mix of housing with the preferred option for 40% to be affordable housing is supported.

We would prefer to see no CIL on the Kenilworth 770 houses.

In the remaining mix consideration should be given to disabled/elderly/students.

KS members would like to see the inclusion on the estate of a one stop shop, and possibly community meeting places.

The population influx will need a new infants school and a further increase in facilities to the local secondary school.

The local medical surgeries will also need to be expanded to cope with the additional facilities.

The restoration of a Town Railway station is supported, along with associated rail/bus integration.

If this development is to take place, let it be an asset to the Town, that other towns come to see and admire. This is a wonderful opportunity to do it right!

The Kenilworth Society supports the WDC in their preferred option, the HS2 construction works and subsequent downgrading of Coventry railway would have a detrimental effect on a County Town with a population of 26, 000. It is believed local business would suffer and the local housing market suffer a blight. We are skeptical there would be any benefit nationally and it would be highly detrimental to Warwickshire.

We support the growth of the Cycle network, however the majority of our members object strongly to any provision of a cycle network through the historic grounds of Abbey Fields as currently shown as proposed/awaiting implantation on Map 5. Abbey Fields has important historic and archaeological significance, and is the major recreational space for the Town, extensive used by elderly, mothers and children, and families. This is no place for cyclists. There is a good road network surrounding the historic park which can be used for the Sustrans cycle route link.

10.15 Car Parking: What Works Where, 2006

We are concerned that CIL charges will have a detrimental effect on specification levels and adversely affect design. Local infrastructure will be supported by increased numbers of rate payers.

The majority of KS members object to the proposal to put a cycle path through the historic Abbey Fields. This is a park created from the dissolution of the Augustinian Abbey and is used by the elderly, families, the young, and is a major asset to the town of Kenilworth. This is a park for pedestrians to enjoy and a place of serenity and peace in an ever increasing frantic high speed world. These historic grounds are an area of extreme archaelogical significance and need to be preserved as such for the future of our Town