Craven Arms in Walsgrave to be converted to flats

A disused Coventry pub dating back to the 19th Century is to be transformed into 20 flats.



Plans for The Craven Arms in Woodway Lane, Walsgrave, currently boarded up, were given the green light by Coventry City Council this week,

The original Victorian building will be converted while some of the newer extensions and outbuildings will be demolished to make way for 11 two-bedroomed flats and nine one-bedroom flats.

An extension and a new block in the pub grounds will be created along with parking for residents.

Planners believe the flats will fit in well with the area which is mainly housing.

They also say there are other places to drink nearby including the a working men’s club on Woodway Lane and the Mount Pleasant and Red Lion pubs in nearby Ansty Road.

They added local residents aren’t concerned about losing a pub.

But Graham Paine, from the Campaign for Real Ale in Coventry , said: “There are 29 pubs closing every week around the country. We would much prefer if somebody could take it on as a pub.

“What we find is that pubs close because of bad management. We need pubs because they act as a hub for the community.

“I live in Chapelfields and have the Nursery Tavern a two-and-a-half minutes’ walk away and the Broomfield Tavern a five-minute walk away and they both do a lot for the community.

“Both pubs have excellent landlords who engage with the community. At the least with the Craven Arms the proper process has been gone through but it is still very disappointing.”

The pub is believed to date back to the mid-19th Century.

It had a reprieve in 1981 when owners Mitchells and Butlers applied for permission to demolish the building and replace it with a bigger one.

But there was a campaign to keep it and the application was turned down by the council. The owners built an extension instead.

The pub due to be turned into flats has no connection with the Craven Arms in Chapelfields, Coventry.

That was a lovely pub, such a shame to see it go.

That was a lovely pub, such a shame to see it go.

Look away now Rebbonk!

Derelict Coventry pub transformed into 20-flat apartment complex



A former Coventry pub which dates back to the mid-19th century is enjoying a new lease of life as an apartment complex.

The old Craven Arms in Woodway Lane, Walsgrave, has been transformed into 20 new flats.

The Victorian pub closed its doors several years ago and ended-up being boarded-up.

Permission was granted for it to be redeveloped by Coventry City Council planners in November 2015.

Approval was given for an extension and a new block in the pub grounds, along with parking for residents.

Planners ruled the flats would fit in well with the area which is mainly housing.

Following an extensive refurbishment the former pub has been given the new name of Montague Court and the development is being managed and let by local estate agents Loveitts.

The new residential development consists of three studios, six one-bedroom flats and 11 two-bedroom homes.

Six of the apartments have already been let.