Plans for 700 homes form the centrepiece of the proposed development at the former National Grid site in Abbotts Lane
This is the incredible £100million vision for a derelict gasworks site in Coventry city centre.
Plans for 700 homes in more than a dozen new tower blocks form the centrepiece of the proposed development at the former National Grid site in Abbotts Lane.
It would also include opening up Radford Brook as part of a “linear park” which would link directly under the ring road to the Belgrade Theatre and the central shopping area.
The ambitious project is being unveiled at the world’s largest property development and investment show in France.
Complex Development Projects (CDP) – the company behind Fargo Village, Electric Wharf and the Telegraph 1950s retro hotel project – are behind the scheme.
The regeneration specialist company bought the 5.5-acre site from National Grid a year ago and is working with Coventry City Council on the proposals which are likely to be submitted for planning approval in the summer.
The site was cleared in 2010 and more recently was a car-park.
Ian Harrabin, of CDP – which has offices in Coventry and London – said the development would not only provide much-needed housing for Coventry residents, but would also expand the benefits of the city centre out to the surrounding community.
He said: “This is a very large site and provides an opportunity to develop a new district outside the collar of the ring road.
“Coventry city centre is really on the up but the ring road remains a barrier for local community access.
“Most other major city centres in the UK have seen a renaissance led by new urban communities which have revitalised shops and restaurants and brought in more offices.
“That is the next step for Coventry, where new housing developments for people who can walk to work will balance the recent surge of new student developments.
"The continued improvements by the council to the public realm along with the new swimming pool complex and retail regeneration are making the city centre a much more attractive place to live.
“The former industrial site is currently derelict, but perfect for an environmentally sustainable development which cuts down on car use.
“The Radford Brook runs through the site in a culvert but can be easily opened up as a landscape feature.
"The brook could be a direct green link connecting Belgrade Plaza to Naul’s Mill Park, Bablake School and the Coundon and Radford communities.”
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