COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Petitioners who have called on developers to tidy up a derelict part of Coventry city centre will have their case heard by the council today.


Lesley Jackson and Dave Nellist

More than 200 people have signed a petition to get the land behind the Belgrade Theatre and Belgrade Plaza development brought back into public use as a ‘pocket park’.

The site, owned by developers Oakmoor Deeley was originally due to become housing as part of the Belgrade Plaza development in 2005. Then at the start of last year Coventry University also pulled out of plans to build student accommodation on the land.

Since then the area has been surrounded by orange boards.

Lesley Jackson, owner of the Town Wall Tavern pub, has backed the campaign for the boards to come down and for a ‘pocket park’ to be created instead. “We have been looking at this hoarding for five years. It is a monstrosity,” she said.

“I am desperate for something to be done on this site because this really isn’t good enough.

“There is all this development happening in the city centre but the council has moved their focus to Broadgate while this has been left in the hands of the developers and is still looking awful.

“I know there is no money but this is a prime piece of city centre land so if they can’t sell it then it must be opened up and grass put on it. Just doing that could make it a little oasis next to the theatre rather than being a complete eyesore.”

At a meeting today cabinet members for city development at the city council will discuss the options available.

They are expected to recommend that developers try to bring forward any proposed development on the site, but if that is unlikely, then to carry out the petition’s request “within a reasonable timetable”.

Councillor Dave Nellist (Soc. St Michael’s) who will present the petition, said: “After the petition was submitted Oakmoor Deeley said they were ‘receptive to the proposal for the pocket park’ but were “unable to implement the proposal at the current time.

“To my mind, seven years is too long. There are too many areas of our city becoming derelict.

“We’re managing to spend £7 million on Broadgate and entrances to the city, for a couple of weeks during the Olympics, but for many who live here all year round, such as the elderly residents in Hill Street and Bond Street, it would be better to bring forward proposals to brighten up their area.”

James Crawford, of Belgrade Plaza Partnership, said he understood the concerns of residents and would work with the council to see development on the site at the earliest opportunity.

Temporary makeover plan for eyesore Belgrade Plaza site

A DERELICT plot of land in Coventry city centre could be given a temporary makeover as hopes grow of a longer term solution.

Developers Oakmoor Deeley have been asked to create a ‘pocket park’ on land behind the Belgrade Theatre after complaints about the way it looks.

The site off Hill Street and Bond Street has been boarded up after housing and student accommodation plans fell through because of the recession.

Coventry City Council called on the firm to plant grass and flowers if building work does not start within six months after receiving a petition of 200 names.

James Crawford, of the Belgrade Plaza Partnership, which comprises Oakmoor Estates and Deeley Properties, said: “We are working with the council to try to see what we can do to keep the area in a suitably smart condition.”

He added: “We have recently appointed a new team to try to drive the scheme forward and are in some positive talks about aspects of the development.”

Belgrade Plaza student development in Coventry expires



Planning permission to build a student halls of residence on a prime Coventry city centre location has expired.

The former Belgrade Plaza development plan for the student flats behind Belgrade Theatre can not now go ahead – leading to increased calls for developers to do something with the derelict land.

The area is sectioned off by large hoardings and has been labelled a “monstrosity”.

Last week the Telegraph reported 200 people had signed a petition calling for it to be brought back in to public use, until development can be carried out.

Leading the petitioners, Coun Dave Nellist says any extension to planning permission for the student plan should be dependent on developers Oakmoor Deeley doing this.

Suggestions include turfing the area with grass or creating a so-called ‘pocket park’.

Coun Nellist said: “This is a gateway in to the city centre.

“The Belgrade car park has won awards because it’s a really nice car park, you’ve got the Belgrade Theatre and retirement homes in Bond Street.

“And in the middle of it, for seven years, we’ve just had an eyesore.

“It is a huge missed opportunity not to use this as a public space.”

Petitioners met with Coun Linda Bigham, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for city services last Thursday to discuss the area bordered by Hill Street and Bond Street.

Coun Nellist called for a time limit being set for Oakmoor Deeley to bring the land back in to public use, at the Council House.

The developers have now been given a six-month deadline.

The 400-home student accommodation plan originally formed part of the Belgrade Plaza development in 2005, but at the beginning of last year Coventry University pulled out of plans to build student accommodation there.

Oakmore Deeley have been reported as saying they are eager to develop the land, opposite the Town Wall Tavern pub.

Coun Nellist said there had been much opposition to the original plan from nearby residents who hoped for a less student-focused development which included social housing.

“I have actively supported the development of new student accommodation, for example in Far Gosford Street,” he added.

“Since the time the Belgrade Plaza plans were brought forward there has been new student accommodation in many other parts of the city.

“This perhaps explains why the developers have not proceeded with their plan.”

Councillor Bigham will receive a report about the site from council officers within three weeks.