Plans approved to demolish former Leamington pub and replace it with community building and 'creative space'

Plans to demolish a former Leamington pub to make way for a community and education centre have been approved.

Councillors agreed to redevelop the site of the former Stoneleigh Arms in Clemens Street at last night's planning meeting (Wednesday December 13), after hearing that the plans are part of the council's Creative Quarter regeneration proposals for the Old Town area of Leamington.

The Old School near the pub will also be refurbished and extended as part of the new plans, which will include a 'mixed creative use building and community centre'.

Dating back to the 19th century, the Stoneleigh Arms closed during the 1990s and the current building is in a state of disrepair.

The pub features in this gallery: 12 pubs we've loved and lost in Leamington over the years - do you remember them?

Even though the building has become an eyesore to many residents, its façade with Flemish bond brickwork is admired by many others and council officers said they worked hard to find a way of keeping the character of the building and working with the current structure.

In 2022, a report suggested that the facade and sides could be saved - but two further structural reports conclude that the building is in a much worse condition than previously thought and a full demolition is inevitable.

In a report to councillors, council officers said: "The proposals include the complete demolition of the existing building and its replacement with a new building which would be for a mixed creative use. The proposals also include the refurbishment and further extension of the building which sits to the rear of the Stoneleigh Arms, in Court Street, known as The Old School; this would be for educational as well as community uses.

"Between the two buildings it is proposed to create a new 'pocket park' public realm landscaped area.

"The site is dissected by the Royal Leamington Spa Conservation Area boundary; the Stoneleigh Arms falls within the Conservation Area while the rear of the site including The Old School building falls outside of it."

The plans received support from 12 residents and Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, who all welcomed the chance to redevelop the building, within the plans for the town's Creative Quarter.

One objection was received, which stated that the proposal "strips away the character of the original buildings" and the pocket park "whilst a benefit, will result in problems in terms of potential antisocial behaviour".

Warwick District Council's planning committee approved the plans at last night's planning meeting.

Enabled by the Government’s Future High Street Fund and co-funded by Complex Development Projects who are Warwick District Council’s Development Partner, this is the third major project to support the town’s Creative Quarter ambitions.

It follows the Spencer Yard redevelopment, which is now complete, and the Town Hall Creative Hub which is due to start on-

site early in 2024.

Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for arts and economy, Cllr Ella Billiald, said: “It’s really exciting to see the next phase of development starting to take shape, breathing new life into this site which has been abandoned and derelict for many years and raising the potential to bring it back into community, commercial and creative use.”

Emma Harrabin from Complex Development Projects added: “We are very pleased to introduce new and much needed creative arts and community spaces to Leamington, particularly in this part of town. This brings the potential to provide exciting opportunities for the sector to continue to grow and for local communities to access artistic and educational facilities, cultural events and landscaped outdoor spaces.”

Discussions are underway with potential future tenants of the space and the buildings are aiming to complete by the end of 2024.