Housing plan for former Council depot site

[dutchman]

Coventry City Council is set to submit an outline planning application for new homes on the former depot site on Foleshill Road.

The outline plan is for approximately 140 new family homes on the three hectare site located just off ring road junction 1 and bordered by the canal on one side and Foleshill Road on the other.

It was previously used by the Council's City Engineers department to store plant, vehicles and materials. In 2002 the depot was demolished and the site was cleared.

The plan, for a range of family homes will include affordable starter homes and larger family homes.

Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for City Development said:

"Securing outline planning consent will be a real step forward for this site. It has been vacant for a long time - but we believe the time is right to start to think about seeking a developer.

"It's a really good location - benefiting from a fantastic outlook on to the canal on one side, a great road connection on the other and it's within easy walking distance of the city centre. Our plan is mainly for family homes - including a number of affordable - and we think they will complement the Barberry development on the other side of the ring roads perfectly.

"By securing outline planning permission it means we establish what can be built on the site - this in turn simplifies things for a developer who can buy it and start straight away. It should mean we add value to the site too - so it works for both sides."

Councillor Ed Ruane, Cabinet Member for Housing, added:

"This is excellent news in terms of the first steps in bringing a prominent site close to the city centre back into use.

"The extra housing, especially affordable, is much needed as we attempt to ensure a sufficient variety of housing stock throughout the city that can make a difference in so may ways.

"Investment in housing is more than just providing a home for people to live in but will help kick start the construction industry and create much needed skilled jobs and apprenticeships, particularly for the young unemployed."