The Ordnance Survey map of 1867 shows that most plots surrounding the square had already been laid out and built upon at that stage.

St Mary's College privately own the green area inside the square which they acquired in 1947 from a property developer named Mr White.

The club acquired a 25-year lease on nearby Grosvenor Square in 1909 and have remained there ever since despite retaining the Kenilworth name.

[5] In 1999, Judge John O'Hagan ruled that a group of residents were not entitled to a permanent right of way or access to a private key for the park based on previous licence agreements with owners stretching back to 1860 as there was no current contractual agreement in place.

[7] Locals, conservationists and environmentalists have raised concerns about the impact to the environment and community as well as the proposed commercialisation of the square.