Student flats plan gets the go ahead

The application for the Warwick Street site went before Warwick District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday amidst objections that there is already too much student housing in the town centre.

Speaking against the plan nearby resident Lynda Power said: “This part of Leamington is starting to look a lot like South Leamington. Too many students do have a damaging effect on a community.”

Cllr Michael Kinson said: “I’ve raised concerns about these shared houses in the past. Students are different. Different lifestyles, different sorts of people altogether.

“I did sniff out a battery hen type situation, trying to cram as many sleeping spaces in as possible.”

However, applicant Brian Jeavons said: “It has been on the market for two years as offices and we haven’t had one viewing. Leaving it vacant is beneficial to no-one and makes no contribution to the town whatsoever.”