Woodcote has been Warwickshire Police HQ since 1949 (read more on the Warwickshire Police website). In 2011 it was announced that the Police would be leaving, due to the partnership with West Mercia Police. When the partnership broke down the Police announced their re-adoption of Woodcote as Police HQ in April 2019.
Key dates relating to recent planning at Woodcote (since announcing its re-adoption as Police HQ) are as follow:
- 06/12/2022 – W/22/1884/LB – Repair works to the exterior ashlar sandstone of Grade II listed Woodcote House (GRANTED: 20/02/2023)
- 05/12/2022 – W/22/1864 & 1865/LB – Replacement of windows, external doors and vents of the 1960’s office block that connects to Grade II listed Woodcote House (GRANTED: 03/02/2023)
- 06/12/2022 – W/22/1891 – Repair works to bell tower, cornice cupola and weathervane (GRANTED: 20/02/2023) 20/03/2023 – W/23/0377/LB – North Lodge repairs (GRANTED: 22/05/2023)
- 04/09/2024 – W/24/1107 – Proposed installation of a temporary parking area for 74 cars (WITHDRAWN)
- 23/10/2024 – W/24/1256 – Replacement of flat roof (GRANTED: 17/11/2024)
- 04/02/2025 – W/25/0038 – External works to improve the safety and security of Police Headquarters’ staff, visitors and policing operations. Improvements to include; resurfacing of existing roads, paths and car parks, additional car parking, overflow car parking area, pedestrian footpaths, external lighting, CCTV, security barriers, security huts, sunshade canopies, security gates, disabled ramp, garden of reflection, structural landscaping and biodiversity net gain (GRANTED: 07/08/2025)
- 18/02/2025 – W/25/0173/LB – Refurbishment of the first floor female toilets (GRANTED: 07/04/2025)
The Parish Council will use this page to keep residents updated as and when there is further news about planning for Woodcote. See posts below:
Community Liaison re Car Park Works
Members of the Parish Council and Leek Wootton Focus Group attended the first meeting of a Community Liaison Group at Police HQ on 4 February 2026.
The timescale of works was outlined as follows:
- 09/02/2026 - Vegetation clearance to begin
- Main works will start first week of March and go on for 20 weeks.
- Access will be through East Lodge entrance (not North Lodge), via Rouncil Lane, Woodcote Lane and sharp right into Woodcote Drive.
- Traffic – cones and marshals may be used to prevent parking when large movements are happening. Turning space at entrance is the main concern.
- Big plant will only need to be delivered once.
- Works will be weekdays only between 7:30am and 5:00pm, nothing over weekends.
- Some work will be done on trimming of trees in time, but this will be under another planning application.
- Lighting will be lower with domed headed downlighters with warm white and a reduction in the number.
- There will not be a phone number – there will be an online contact system (see below).
It was advised that during the duration of the works, any issues, concerns or questions should be reported online via Warwickshire Police’s online portal: Contact us | Warwickshire Police by choosing “Something else” twice and using the free text box accordingly. The Parish Council members were assured that this link can be used by all members of the public and it was confirmed that the force’s OCC team have been liaised with and are aware that reports will be made to them. It was explained that by using this method of reporting with regards to the works means there is an audit trial record and a mechanism for lessons learnt to be taken from this process and works.
The Community Liaison Group will meet monthly and share updates accordingly.
Warwickshire Police External Transformation Project Construction Management Plan
The Construction Management Plan (DOC/25/0067) has been published for the Warwickshire Police External Transformation Project (including the new car park facility)(Ref, W/25/0038). This document sets out all aspects of the construction phases of the project, including the project timeline (projected start date 17 November 2025).
A copy of the plan is available here. The PC has an opportunity to respond - if you wish to comment on any aspect of the Construction Management Plan, please email the Clerk by Monday, 3 November 2025, and the PC will incorporate into its response.
Planning: Discharge of Condition DOC/25/0067 - Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane (related to W/25/0038)
Application No: DOC/25/0067
Description: Application for discharge of conditions 3 (Construction Management Plan), 4 (Arboricultural Method Statement), 5 (Archaeological Works), 6 (Construction and Environmental Management Plan), 7 (Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan), 8 (Bat and Bird Boxes) of planning permission W/25/0038
Address: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane, Leek Wootton, Warwick, CV35 7QB
LW&GC PC Comment: Comments submitted 03/11/2025 (see correspondence)
WDC Decision: Pending
Police Driving in Leek Wootton
In September 2025 a resident again raised concerns about the speed of Police vehicles traveling through Leek Wootton. The response received from Chief Inspector Operations is available to read below:
Planning Application: Warwickshire Police HQ, Woodcote Lane (Ref: W/25/0173 LB)
Application No: W/25/0173 LB
Description: Refurbishment of the first floor female toilets in Woodcote House. This will include the removal an internal timber stud partition wall (including a timber hollow core door), an existing glass screen and existing toilet and wash hand basing (plus cabinetry). The refurbishment will include the installation of 2 new WC's within cubicles, a new metal stud wall to reduce the length of the room to the back of the WCs, a new vanity and basin along with redecoration to the existing walls and installation of an electrical hand dryer.
Address: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane, Leek Wootton, Warwick, CV35 7QB
LW&GC PC Comment: No objection
WDC Decision: GRANTED
Planning Application: Warwickshire Police HQ, Woodcote Lane (Ref: W/25/0038)
Application No: W/25/0038
Description: External works to improve the safety and security of Police Headquarters' staff, visitors and policing operations. Improvements to include; resurfacing of existing roads, paths and car parks, additional car parking, temporary overflow car parking, pedestrian footpaths, external lighting, CCTV, security barriers, security huts, sunshade canopies, security gates, disabled ramp, garden of reflection, structural landscaping and
biodiversity net gain.
Address: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane, Leek Wootton, Warwick, CV35 7QB
LW&GC PC Comment: OBJECT (Click here to read objection submitted)
WDC Decision: GRANTED
Planning Application: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane (Ref. W/24/1256)
Reference: W/24/1256
Proposal: Replacement of existing roof with a new insulated multi-ply membrane flat roof and associated new 1.2m high louvered screen. New roof plant and photovoltaic panels, replacement of existing windows and doors, along with the installation of a new door to the south elevation and new canopy to the entrance on the north elevation.
Address: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane, Leek Wootton, Warwick, CV35 7QB
LW&GC PC Comment: No objection
WDC Decision: GRANTED
Planning Application: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane (Ref. W/24/1107)
Application No: W/24/1107
Description: Proposed installation of a Groundtrax CellPave AP 'no-dig' anchored ground reinforcement paving tile to create a carparking area for 74 carparking spaces on a portion of the existing sports field for a temporary period of 18 months until 14th February 2026.
Address: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane, Leek Wootton, Warwick, CV35 7QB
LW&GC PC Comment: No objection (with comment that permission should be TEMPORARY and strictly restricted to the 18-month period)
WDC Decision: Pending
APPLICATION WITHDRAWN
Planning Application: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane (Ref. W/22/1891/LB)
Application No: W/22/1891 LB
Description: The bell tower of Woodcote House timber columns are in a poor condition with severe rot having occurred. The proposal is to replace all defective timber members, including the 8no. columns, cornice and decorative details. The cupola is proposed to have a new lead covering, as is the base at the roof junction. The weathervane is to be cleaned and the timber detail replaced.
Address: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane, Leek Wootton, Warwick, CV35 7QB
LW&GC PC Comment: No objection
WDC Decision: GRANTED
Planning Application: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane (Ref. W/22/1884/LB)
Application No: W/22/1884 LB
Description: This application is for the repair works to the exterior ashlar sandstone of Grade II listed Woodcote House. The repairs vary depending on the severity of the issue and range from as little as mortar replacement up to full stone replacements.
Address: Warwickshire Police Headquarters, Woodcote Lane, Leek Wootton, Warwick, CV35 7QB
LW&GC PC Comment: No objection
WDC Decision: GRANTED