Brighter Future For Kenilworth Factory Site
02 July 2007
The uncertainty surrounding the future of the former Arden Products site in Kenilworth is at an end with the transfer of the land to residential homes builder Lagan Homes.
The site has been sold to Lagan by previous owners JG Land and Estates. It has been at the centre of controversy over several years having been previously earmarked for commercial development. Over 600 local residents joined forces with councillors to highlight the need for homes instead of commercial premises and in March this year their two-year campaign proved successful when outline planning consent for housing was granted to J & G Estates Banbury-based Lagan Homes are seeking to build 48 houses and apartments in an area bounded by Dalehouse Lane, Cotton Drive, Common Lane and the Finham brook. The site is conveniently situated less than two miles from the main A46 road linking the M40 and M5 motorways. Rail links are from Coventry, Leamington and Warwick, which is less than 10 minutes journey by car.
Lagan Homes Managing Director John Lougher is delighted with this latest land acquisition. “Kenilworth is a much sought after location for homebuyers and the Dalehouse Lane site is close to the town centre in an area with excellent transport links where new homes are badly needed.
“We hope to achieve the required detailed planning consent for the new development during the summer and to start work on site during the autumn. We plan to build a mix of apartments and townhouses designed to complement homes in the surrounding residential area and we expect that the first homes will be available for sale during spring 2008.”
The purchase of the Kenilworth land is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Lagan Homes, a division of Belfast-based Lagan Group, a privately owned construction and materials group with annual turnover exceeding £400 million. Most recently, valuable residential development sites in Bedford and Milton Keynes have also been secured and work begins at these two locations later in the year.