Amongst the agenda items to be considered is the demolition of the Covent Garden multi-storey car park, due to safety warnings. Displacement parking measures will be reviewed along with the progress being made to commission a park and ride scheme, all part of a forward plan to address the town’s evolving parking needs.

In preparation, the Council is already considering an assessment of the options to create a health and wellbeing hub on the Covent Garden site, offering a range of much-needed community services. 

The transfer of the Council’s HQ at Riverside House for future development will also be considered at this meeting. If approved, by the end of the year the temporary relocation of the district council’s face to face services to the Royal Pump Rooms and Leamington Town Hall will be completed, with replacement staff office space being provided in Saltisford, Warwick.

The report then seeks approval to use the capital receipt from the Riverside House sale to meet the cost of relocating the Edmondscote Athletics Track to Fusiliers Way, and also construct an adjacent footpath / cycleway through to Myton Road, Warwick.

As a result, land would then be available to create a Commonwealth Games legacy park, stretching from Princes Drive along the river bank to the Portobello Bridge on Emscote Road, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II.

Other reports to be assessed at this Cabinet meeting include the launch of a new Economic Development Strategy for South Warwickshire; the progress being made with the Leamington town centre projects as part of the Future High Streets Fund Programme, and work being planned by Severn Trent in the Pump Room Gardens as part of a £multi-million scheme to improve water quality in the Rivers Leam and Avon.

Additionally there will be an update report on the progress of BID Leamington’s renewal proposal and ballot, which is due to take place in March this year.

Cllr Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council commented:

“We’ve been on quite a journey over the last three years and much has changed, but our vision and ambition for our beautiful town has remained unaltered. The benefit of time has given our Council the opportunity to revisit and renew previous proposals for both Covent Garden and Riverside House with the needs of our local community, businesses and residents front and centre in our plans.”

“With the momentum brought by reinvestment schemes already underway, including Spencer Yard and the Creative Quarter, if the Council chooses to move forward with these revised proposals, I believe that significant public benefit will be unlocked, boosting the transformation of our beautiful town.”