New park could be built UNDER Coventry Ring Road

More than 700 apartments are also in the ambitious plans



A new park could be created under Coventry's Ring Road with its own climbing wall and amphitheatre.

The ambitious plans would see a continuous 1km long green link stretching from the top of the century-old Naul’s Mill Park, under the ring road and through to Belgrade Plaza in the city centre.

Also part of the plans are 700 apartments that could be built just outside the ring road on the site of a former gas works, alongside a new pedestrian and cycle route.

The planning application has been submitted by Complex Development Projects (CDP) who say that the route of the linear park would follow the line of the Radford Brook which will be recreated as a natural habitat.

It would then run through the former gas works site in Abbotts Lane, where CDP is proposing to create the new apartments.

The planned pedestrian and cycle route would pass under a raised section of the ring road, near to the junction with Radford Road, which is currently used for storage.

CDP want to bring the area to life as a new urban space with a new climbing wall, performance amphitheatre, feature lighting and landscaping.

The plans will be showcased at MIPIM - the world’s biggest property development and investment show – in March.

If approved, it is hoped that work on the site will begin in late spring and will be completed by the start of 2021, ready for Coventry’s City of Culture calendar of events.

Another pie-in-the-sky project that'll come to naught!

How much have CCC spent on this 'project' to date?

Nothing taking deep breaths to climb breathing in car fumes, distraction to drivers I wonder how many accidents it will cause.

Park under Coventry's ring road approved



Coventry will have a new ‘urban park’ built beneath the city’s ring road.

The project, dubbed the ‘Radford Underpark’, will provide a direct route into the city centre from Belgrade Plaza to Naul’s Mill Park in Coundon.

Seating areas, ‘amphitheatre’ space under the ring road, climbing areas, and an “attractive water feature” will be included in the route, alongside improvements to Naul’s Mill Park.

The ambitious project is hoped to encourage walking and cycling into the city centre and make use of a largely vacant and gated space under the ring road.

Coventry’s planning committee gave it unanimous backing on Thursday, July 2.

Katie Burn, from developer Complex Development Projects, said: “At the moment places close to the city centre such as the fantastic Naul’s Mill Park feel far away and aren’t well used."

However concern was raised the park would spark an increase in crime, particularly on a route connecting Abbotts Lane to Middlebrough Road past houses and the site of Britannia Tyres.

Objector Jas Somal said: “The link at this point compromises the security and integrity of the four houses on Abbotts Lane and this point has been raised by the police.

“The site for the four houses is currently not a thoroughfare and opening it will significantly leave the four properties vulnerable to crime and social disorder.”

Ms Burn argued the route will be “well lit and have CCTV surveillance which isn’t there at the moment”, adding that the alternative would result in a longer 150m diversion.

To tackle concerns over crime, a condition was secured for 24-hour CCTV, while a park ‘management strategy’ will also need to be agreed.

Land ownership of four cottages in that particular route was also in question, but planning officer Hannah Holt said this will be negotiated between the developer and landowners themselves.

The park scheme is linked to a plan for 731 apartments on the former gas works site on Abbotts Lane, but that is yet to be agreed.

Surprise, surprise!

New park running under Coventry Ring Road delayed



Work on a linear park being built on the edge of Coventry city centre has been delayed due to labour and material shortages.

A landscaped green area, dubbed Radford Brook Linear Park, was due to be completed by Christmas.

The linear park is a centrepiece of a planned 700-home development called Abbotts Park, described as a “sustainable community” by developers Developer Complex Development Projects (CDP).

Plans for the Abbotts Park development are due to go before the council planning committee in the New Year, but work on the centrepiece linear park has been done upfront.

Radford Brook Linear Park will create a direct landscaped link from the city centre under the ring road to Naul’s Mill Park.

Features include a climbing wall, amphitheatre, feature ‘Zen’ arch structure, children’s play area and over 1,000 trees.

The linear park and green route were due to be completed by Christmas, but a shortage and materials and labour has put the project on hold until the New Year.

A spokesman for Complex Development Projects said: “The park is looking fantastic with almost all of the planting now in place as well as the new feature Zen Arch.

"The works to create a new amphitheatre and climbing wall under the ring road are progressing but are still some way off completion.

“We were hoping to complete the whole route by Christmas but an ongoing shortage of materials and labour issues – which is a problem many businesses are facing – has meant a short delay in completing the project which we hope will be finished by the end of January.”

Radford Brook Linear Park running from Naul’s Mill Park has finally opened



A new park hailed as "breaking the concrete collar of the ring road" has opened in Coventry. Radford Brook Linear Park runs from Naul’s Mill Park to the city centre and under the ring road.

The park was built by developers Complex Development Projects (CDP) and had been due to open at Christmas. However, labour and material shortages stalled progress.

It has now opened, giving residents an impressive landscaped walk into the city centre. The park is a sight to behold, with features such as a climbing wall, amphitheatre, feature ‘Zen’ arch structure, children’s play area and more than 1,000 trees.

Naul's Mill Pond has also been re-wilded, providing a new wetland habitat for wildlife. There is also a wild meadow turf and UV lights under the ring road to help plants grow.

The plan is for the raft of planted trees, which include Pine, Silver and Birch, to absorb the carbon monoxide from the surrounding area. The linear park is part of a wider “sustainable community” of 700 homes by developers Complex Development Projects called Abbotts Park.

These pictures were sent in by local resident Mary Courtney, who said the park looked "amazing" when she visited this week. The new park gives a direct route from Naul’s Mill Park to Abbotts Lane and onto the Belgrade Plaza. It will also provide a better lit walkway for those coming to and from town during evening.