Gateway tension as decision due by Warwick District Council

Warwick District Council leader Michael Doody has vehemently denied accusations that he has meddled with the council’s planning committee, the members of whom will be making the decision on June 12.

Members of the Against the Gateway group - who are opposed to the Coventry and Warwickshire Development Partnership plan for the business, manufacturing and distribution site - have accused Cllr Doody of replacing four members of the planning committee with councillors who are more likely to vote in favour of the scheme.

But when the Courier spoke to the Conservative leader, he said: “The planning committee members are those that were put into place for the year from May onwards.

“This application is nothing special. It’s the same as any other and will be treated exactly as any other.

“I would like these campaigners to get their facts right.”

Members of the campaign group have also pointed out that a report by consultancy GL Hearn showed that no existing businesses in Warwick district have an interest in moving to the site.

But Cllr Doody said: “If the Gateway went ahead, it would be created over 15 years. Until it is built, we cannot say that companies will move on to the site or not, nor whether new ones will come into existence.

“It should not surprise anybody that you cannot identify a company that says it would move on to the site now.”

The meeting on Wednesday June 12 takes place at Leamington town hall from 6pm.