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Latest Articles and Newsletters
Warwick District
Council Core Strategy
The core strategy
is Warwick District council’s response to the Government’s call to raise the annual number of new dwelling completions
in England. Kenilworth’s contribution to Government targets target is likely to be an additional
800 homes by 2026 with the sacrifice of some of the town’s surrounding Green belt to provide the land. . As a civic
society, our focus must be on the overall cultural, economic and community development of Kenilworth. For
this reason, our response the current debate about the core strategy takes a wider view than simply future forecasts of housing
demand. Certainly, the current housing crisis is caused by the deplorable and worsening state of the existing
national housing stock which has simultaneously pushed the cost of decent housing beyond the reach of our young people.
But the future of our town is about more than dry statistics. Instead, the development of Kenilworth must
be driven in tandem with local economic development. Such a policy should be based on our proximity
to our famous next door neighbour, the University of Warwick, an internationally renowned knowledge centre and powerful regional
economic hub. It is inexplicable why we have not previously taken steps to bring our local economy close
to the potential opportunities represented by the University. Government officials and developers are
very comfortable with public debates based on statistics alone. After all, they are well placed to manipulate
the information to suit their ends and if all else fails communities opposing development plans can be written off as NIMBYs
(not in our back yard). A community with a clear vision for its own future is much harder to ignore
Update
June 2010
In the light of the new Government's plans to abolish Regional
Spatial Strategies Warwick District Council has issued the following Press Release:- "The
Government has written to Warwick District Council confirming its intention to rapidly abolish regional strategies and return
decision making powers on housing supply (including the provision of traveller sites) to Councils without the framework of
regional numbers and plans.
The
West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy has been under review and was set to be adopted later this year by the previous Government.
It was likely to include a requirement for the District Council to allocate around 11,000 new homes and some 90ha of employment
land to meet future needs up to 2026, as well as the potential for additional housing and employment growth south of Coventry.
These requirements were being considered and planned for through the Council’s preparation of a Core
Strategy for the District. Public consultation took place last summer on how this level of growth could be accommodated. The
intention to abolish the regional strategy and its housing and employment requirements will clearly necessitate a review of
the Core Strategy process."
Kenilworth
Society Guided Walk 15th July 2010
On the evening of 15th July Ian Fenwick will lead a guided walk around
the Leek Wooton/Rouncil Lane area, covering historic features such as Woodcote House, Goodrest and the Park Pale.
The walk will start from Leek Wootton Village Hall at 7.00 pm and will take approximately 2 hours.
Kenilworth Society on Facebook
The Kenilworth Society
now has a Facebook group which we hope will appeal to some of the younger (and young at heart) members in our community.
A discussion group has been started to ask people about their vision for Kenilworth 2020. Do join
in and also set your own discussions going.
Membership
The Society
is looking to broaden its membership and to attract new members. Ideas so far include a Young Kenilworth Society, meeting
during the day and campaigning activities to involve members. If you would like to be involved in strategies
and activities to grow the membership, please contact Joanna Illingworth on 01926 511183 or e-mail:inquiries@kenilworthsociety.org.uk .
Offchuch Open Gardens Weekend
By way of thanks to Offchurch
resident Derek Ainscow, who was guest speaker at the Kenilworth Society's open meeting in March, we are publicising the
following event:-
OFFCHURCH THROUGH THE AGESOPEN GARDENS AND SCARECROW WEEKEND 19TH – 20TH JUNE
2010 - 12 NOON – 6.00PM
A FESTIVAL WEEKEND CELEBRATING THE HISTORY AND STORIES OF THIS ANCIENT WARWICKSHIRE VILLAGE –
AS SEEN THROUGH THE BEAUTY OF ITS GARDENS AND ILLUSTRATED BY TABLEAUX OF SCARECROWS.
From Stone Age implements to the mobile phone - learn how invaders,
conquerors and visitors shaped our village. The story will be imaginatively brought to life by wacky scarecrows
depicting Romans, Vikings, Anglo Saxons, Normans, Georgians and Victorians, particularly featuring King Offa, Benedictine
monks and Welsh cattle drovers, together with the story of the Knightley family who dwelt in the parish for 400 years.
A detailed programme will provide information about the historical
exhibits, as well as a guide to the cottage gardens that will be open for the pleasure of visitors -with worksheets and quizzes for children.
In addition, there will be a number of events and attractions,
both on the field, and around the village, including a maypole with cute scarecrow children, live historical re-enactments,
a heritage car exhibition and fun golf croquet. A variety of stalls will offer plants, books and craft
work. There will also be exhibits in St Gregory’s Church which will host a programme of musical entertainment,
bellringing and other features. Lunches and teas will be served in the Village Hall. Entrance: Adults £5.00. Children under 16
FREE
COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN – ENTERTAINMENT
FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Proceeds
from the event will be divided between the Air Ambulance Service (who will have a presence), St Gregory’s Church and
Offchurch Village Hall.
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