Castle Pavilion conversion could finally go ahead

The pavilion, a former stable owned by Warwickshire County councillor Alan Cockburn and accessible via a track just west of Borrowell Lane, could be converted into a residential house if the plan is approved by Warwick District Council’s planning committee.

Council officers said the reasons for previous refusals have all been addressed. In a report, they said: “The development is acceptable in principle and does not adversely affect the amenity of nearby residents or highway safety.”

Kenilworth Town Council is still opposed to the conversion. Members said they saw ‘no radical difference’ in this new plan, and still felt the area was unsuitable for development because of the site’s proximity to the Brays, part of the defensive outerworks of Kenilworth Castle and classed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

17 public objections have also been received, with many citing the potential damage to the Brays along with possible harm to the green belt area.

But Historic England has no issue with this latest plan. In a statement, it said: “The unlisted building lies beside the outer defensive works of Kenilworth Castle. The proposals are to convert the building to residential use.

“Although they will affect the setting of the scheduled monument and the registered park the level of harm has been reduced considerably and we are content to see this scheme proceed.”

Nine applications for work at the site have been refused since 1990.

A decision will be made on Tuesday May 24.