Parts of Earlsdon could become a conservation area after the city council agreed to investigate whether the area’s character and appearance deserved extra protection.
Officers at Coventry City Council will report back on whether the area should be given the status after a petition signed by 124 residents was presented to the authority.
The petition was launched after residents became concerned about the appearance of some corporate signs, and that the area could fall victim to “unsuitable over development”.
Conservation area status would apply tighter planning restrictions to any new building or business signage, and would add scrutiny to the alteration of existing structures.
A council report said Earlsdon was originally laid out as a ‘garden village’ in 1852 by the Coventry Freehold Land Society with 251 plots arranged around eight streets.
Development progressed slowly and it took years before all of the plots were filled. Many of the area’s buildings date from the late Victorian or Edwardian period.
The terraced streets which comprise the area now known as Hearsall developed slightly later between 1905 and 1914.
The report also points to the fact some buildings in the area have already been ‘locally listed’ for their architectural and historic interest.
Officers have agreed to look into the residents’ request and will report back in autumn this year before final proposals are drawn up in summer 2016.
Labour Coun Kevin Maton, the council’s cabinet member for business, said: “When I look at the number of properties and the nature of design, it’s pretty easy to make a case for it to become an area of distinctiveness.”
If the application is successful the area would follow in footsteps of Chapelfields, Spon End and Nauls Mill which have parts listed as conservation areas.
Officers could recommend that segments of Earlsdon and Hearsall are granted conservation area status rather than the whole area.
One solution could be that the existing Kenilworth Road conservation area is extended into Earlsdon.
The report is not expected to cost the council anything other than officers’ time.
Being named a 'conservation area' didn't do Spon End any good. Coventry Councillors don't know the meaning of the word 'conservation'.
