Rouncil Lane Update - September 2026
Former School Site, Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth - Demolition Application
Homes England has submitted an application for prior approval of demolition of Rouncil Lane former School Site under Part 11, Class B (demolition of buildings) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. The application sets out the proposed method of demolition, how materials will be disposed of and the proposed restoration of the Site. This is not an application for the development of the site.
Certain buildings need approval from the local planning authority before demolition can take place. The purpose of this control is to give local planning authorities the opportunity to regulate the details of demolition and minimise the impact of that activity on local amenity.
A site notice has been erected and must remain for a minimum of 21 days within a 28-day period of the application being submitted. The details of the application can be found at W/26/1267
Previous updates on Rouncil Lane:
July 2026:
A report is going to Cabinet on 22 July 2026 regarding the future of Rouncil Lane school site in Kenilworth.
Homes England have expressed an interest in purchasing the site, but no agreement has been reached or undertaken regarding the sale. The work they wish to undertake will inform any subsequent offer they make to the Council and whether they intend to make an offer. Work they will undertake includes carrying out a number of surveys on the site, the submission of a Prior Approval Notice for demolition of the existing buildings and preparation and submission of a planning application, which will include public consultation. Applicants do not need to own a property to submit a planning application or carry out consultation, and it is commonplace for developers to undertake this type of work ahead of entering any contract of sale.
What does an exclusive basis mean?
It means that officers will not enter into discussions about the sale of the site with other developers for an agreed period of time.
What happens next?
Cabinet will consider the recommendations in the report, and if supported, officers will agree to work with Homes England on an exclusive basis whilst they conduct due diligence and submit a planning application.
Any work Homes England undertakes, including consultation, is to inform their own decision-making and is completely independent of the Council.
Is the sale to Homes England agreed?
No it is not. No agreement has been reached to sell the site to Homes England. Should Homes England make an offer, a further report will be bought to Cabinet for consideration.
What happens if Homes England decides not to make an offer or the offer is unacceptable to the Council?
The Council would be free to go out to the market to seek other bids, and Homes England would share the work completed with officers to assist with future negotiations.
Why is the Council seeking to work exclusively with Homes England?
Homes England is undertaking upfront site assessment work and preparing a planning application at their own risk; they are prepared to share this work should a sale not proceed. To go out to market, the Council would need to have undertaken similar assessments and would have to have covered the cost of this.
It is hoped this approach will expedite the development of a vacant site, resulting in the demolition of vacant buildings and delivering much needed homes more quickly than the Council could achieve on its own.
When will the buildings be demolished?
There is no timeframe for demolition agreed at this stage. Should work being undertaken recommend that demolition would be best to take place prior to the sale of the land to a new owner, a further report will be brought to Cabinet for consideration.
When will the community be consulted about the plan for redevelopment?
Homes England will be conducting their own consultation as part of the preparation of their planning application; this is independent of the Council.
Previous updates on Leyes Lane:
April 2026:
The sale of the former Leyes Lane school site has now been successfully completed, marking an important step in securing a sustainable future for the site. Responsibility for the site has now formally transferred to the new owners, Homes England, and any future enquiries regarding the property, its use or development should be directed to leyeslane@homesengland.gov.uk. Warwick District Council remains committed to supporting positive outcomes for the community and will share further updates where appropriate.
We would like to thank the community for their interest and engagement in this process.
Get in touch
How can I reach the Council regarding the sites?
Form: Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane school sites development query