Pocket park to be created on derelict land in city centre...

[dutchman]

A derelict patch of land in Coventry city centre could be transformed into an urban oasis while its longer term future is considered.


Well Street before demolition

Workmen are currently clearing the overgrown plot on the corner of Bishop Street and Well Street, which was home to a row of empty shops and takeaways.

The buildings were demolished after a fire in 2009, and the 845 square metre site has been boarded off ever since.

Now Coventry City Council is tidying up the land before inviting bids to turn it into a pocket park, similar to the green area created opposite the motor museum three years ago.

Coun Lynnette Kelly, cabinet member for city development said: “I’m delighted that we will be able to improve this site.

“It’s been vacant and inaccessible for some time so it will be lovely tod open it up.

“We are working on the landscaping plan now, but I am confident it will be as impressive and popular as the area we transformed opposite the Transport Museum.”

The site has been derelict since a severe fire broke out in the former Mr Porkys and Parsons Nose takeaways, in Bishop Street, in 2009.

Five homeless people were rescued by firefighters, but no-one was hurt.

The entire jumble of shops, including the former Oliver Twist takeaway, the long-empty Lynes Stores, and the closed down Bengal Cottage, was then knocked down.

The future of the site has been subject to speculation for years.

In 2006 plans were approved for 37 flats, along with shops, a car park and a public square beside the AXA tower block, but the project failed to materialise.

The new pocket park would be the second to be created in the city centre.

In 2010 a small patch of land on the corner of Hales Street and Trinity Street was turfed and planted. That plot had also been subject to failed regeneration schemes since several buildings, including the Smithfield Hotel, were demolished 13 years ago.

The site was originally earmarked for a development of “wavy flats” in 2003 and a further application was submitted for apartments, shops and cafe bars in 2005.

[dutchman]

Work to start on new 'pocket park' for Coventry



Coventry is to get a new temporary park, as work on derelict land in Bishop Street starts on Thursday.

The work will create a "pocket park" on the corner with Well Street while a developer for the land is sought.

An area of 845sq m by the Axa Building will be landscaped with ornamental shrubbery, a footpath and a grassed area with seating, the council said.

The condition of the area has attracted criticism since it was abandoned following a fire in 2009.

Councillor Lynnette Kelly, cabinet member for city development, said: "The temporary pocket park is a great solution to utilising derelict space until a developer comes forward for the site."

She added: "It is part of the ongoing work we are completing for the wider redevelopment of the city, making Coventry a greener, more welcoming place for everyone.

"Boarded up areas never look good, so there will be a real transformation."

The plot has been boarded off since the 2009 fire led to a row of shops and takeaways being demolished.

[rebbonk]

Parks require upkeep and maintenance! - You know, money!

[dutchman]

Bishop Street Pop-Up Park completed

Work on a temporary new pocket park in Bishop Street has been completed.

The park was created to improve the derelict land on the corner of Bishop Street and Well Street prior to any future developments. It follows the work completed last year to transform Broadgate and the Station to Bull Yard connection.

The area has been transformed and is now fully landscaped with ornamental shrubbery, a footpath and a grassed area. A seating area is also included.

Cllr Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise and Employment said: "The pocket park on the corner of Bishop Street has made a huge difference to the look and feel of the area. It had been boarded up for far too long. All it needed was a bit of tender loving care and it really has been transformed into a welcoming, green environment.

"Now local people will be able to enjoy it, the whole area looks and feels better and it connects to the improvements we have made in the Burges. I'm really pleased that it can now be used by local people instead of remaining as dead space until a developer comes forward.

"It's another really good example of how we are focused on transforming our city centre."