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This week’s local news in one place, plus what’s on over the Halloween weekend and what’s coming up next week. The big story: the government plans to replace Warwick District Council with one new council for Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon from April 2029. Also this week: Lidl’s Heathcote Lane store approval, a plan to fence off part of West Rock car park, and an appeal for a new breast care unit at Warwick Hospital.
On this page
Council and planning
- One council for Warwick and Stratford: the government is “minded to” create two unitary councils for Warwickshire, with Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon districts sharing one from April 2029. It isn’t final yet, and May 2027’s district elections go ahead. What happens next.
- Planning decisions: from Saturday 31 October, fewer planning applications go before councillors, under a national scheme. What changes.
- West Rock car park: the district council has applied to fence off 32 spaces for residents for five years. How to comment.
- Lidl, Heathcote Lane: councillors approved a new supermarket on the Europa House site. Read more.
- Hatton: a plan for homes off Oakdene Crescent was rejected on appeal because of the green belt. Read more.
- Car park charges for 2027: prices go up at Castle Lane, The Butts and New Street and West Gate from January, and are frozen elsewhere in Warwick. The full price list. Full Council met on Wednesday; we’ll confirm the decision when the minutes are published.
Roads
- Wathen Road is closed until 18 December for gas works, with temporary lights on Hatton Hill and Grassington Avenue. This week’s roadworks.
- Myton Road: temporary lights stay at the canal bridge until 20 November. Read more.
Health, homes and community
- Warwick Hospital: SWFT Charity is raising £300,000 for a breast care unit, so patients no longer have to travel to Coventry. Read more.
- House prices: the average Warwick district home was worth £370,924 in August, up 1.5% on a year earlier. Our monthly column.
- Christmas Tree Festival: St Mary’s festival of decorated trees returns from 20 to 29 November. Dates and times.
In brief
- Trainee guide dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind were taken round St John’s Haunted House on Wednesday to get used to Halloween sights and sounds before Bonfire Night (BBC News).
- Heading to Coventry this weekend? The Stoneleigh Road bridge over the A46 is closed from 9pm on Friday 30 October until 6am on Monday 2 November, with a signed diversion (Warwick Nub News).
- Voting in the Town Council’s Haunted Windows competition closed at noon today; the Mayor presents the winner’s trophy.
- Interactive Futures, the district’s free games festival, takes over venues across Leamington Spa on 13 and 14 November, with a public day of games, talks and careers advice on the Saturday; booking is required (Warwick District Council).
This weekend in Warwick
It’s Halloween weekend. The Trick or Treat Twilight Market is in the Market Place until 8pm tonight, St John’s Haunted House and Castle After Dark run until Saturday, and The Haunted Castle until Sunday. On Sunday evening, the district’s free Diwali lights switch-on is on the Parade in Leamington. Everything else is on our what’s on this weekend page.
Coming up next week
- Monday 2 November: schools go back after half-term.
- Wednesday 4 November: new public space rules on harassment, e-scooters and barbecues start.
- Saturday 7 November: the Warwick Town Bonfire at the racecourse; gates 5pm, fireworks from 6pm. Every display nearby is in our Bonfire Night guide.
- Sunday 8 November: Remembrance Sunday, with road closures in the town centre.
Last week’s edition: Warwick this week, 23 October. More news is on our Warwick news page. Know something we should cover? Tell us.
