The Regulatory Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to discuss a range of planning applications and review appointments to external organisations. The committee approved a significant sand and gravel extraction project near Lea Marston, subject to stringent conditions, and noted a list of decisions made under delegated powers.

Sand and Gravel Extraction Approved Near Lea Marston

The committee granted planning permission for sand and gravel extraction at land to the west of Haunch Lane and east of Reindeer Park, near Lea Marston. The decision, made under delegated powers, allows for extraction for up to eight years, followed by restoration of the site. The proposal, application reference NWB/24CM023, was recommended for approval by officers, despite objections from North Warwickshire Borough Council and Lea Marston Parish Council concerning landscape, noise, air quality, and Green Belt impacts.

The site is allocated for mineral extraction in the Warwickshire Minerals Local Plan. While the proposed development is within the West Midlands Green Belt, mineral extraction is considered an exempt activity that is not inappropriate in such areas, provided its temporary nature and subsequent restoration are ensured. The plan includes detailed conditions for noise and dust management, highway safety, biodiversity net gain, and a 30-year habitat management and monitoring plan.

During the discussion, concerns were raised by councillors regarding dust control, traffic management, and the potential for noise and dust to impact local residents, particularly in light of ongoing works at the adjacent Lea Marston Shooting Club. Case Officer Neil Simpson explained that a Section 106 agreement would be put in place to manage vehicle routing and that conditions would address noise and dust mitigation. He also confirmed that the site would be restored to its original agricultural use. Councillor Dale Bridgewater highlighted the importance of ensuring HGVs adhered to agreed routing plans to minimise disruption to villages. The committee also discussed the potential for lorries to queue before the site's operational hours, with a suggestion to include this in the Section 106 agreement.

The approved development will be subject to numerous conditions, including:

• A maximum of 240 two-way HGV movements per day.
• Operations to cease by 6 pm on weekdays and be limited to essential maintenance on Saturdays, with no operations on Sundays or bank holidays.
• A comprehensive dust management plan and noise impact assessment, including cumulative impacts with nearby developments.
• A contaminated land risk assessment and a detailed restoration and aftercare scheme.
• A Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan to ensure a biodiversity net gain.
• The site will be restored to agricultural use, with no net change in land levels.

Delegated Decisions Noted

The committee noted a list of planning applications that had been determined under delegated powers since the last meeting. These included:

• Erection of lightning protection equipment at Coleshill Anaerobic Digestion Facility.
• Installation of new kiosks at Milcote Sewage Works.
• Retention of a teaching block and refurbishment at Warton Nethersole C Of E Primary School.
• A Certificate of Lawful Development for a SEMH building at St John's Primary School.
• Retention of a concrete batching plant at Ling Hall Quarry Landfill Site for three years.
• Variation of a condition to extend the retention of a roadstone coating plant at Ling Hall Quarry Landfill Site until May 2029.
• Erection of a modular SEND building at North Leamington School.
• Relocation of an existing Portakabin classroom building for special educational needs pupils at Outwoods Primary School.

All these applications were approved between June and August 2026.

Review of Appointments to External Organisations

The committee reviewed and agreed to changes in the allocation of places on external organisations and proposed new appointments. This review was necessitated by changes in council membership and the disbandment of some organisations, such as Rugby First. The report outlined criteria for continued council representation, including requests from the organisation, strategic importance to the council, and the council being a named partner. The report also noted that while political proportionality was sought, it was not always achievable due to requirements for specific portfolio holders or divisional members to be appointed.