Another 700 student flats proposed for former gasworks site

[dutchman]

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.”

Jackanory... Jackanory... Jackanory...

[Jock Strapp]

More student accommodation? Methinks that our city is in need for affordable homes for young couples and anyone who can claim to be true Coventrians.I am all for looking after ones own first
I occasionally drive through the University of Warwick and observed there are vacant areas where flats could be built.

[Melisandre]

Methinks that our city is in need for affordable homes for young couples and anyone who can claim to be true Coventrians.I am all for looking after ones own first

It will never happen Jock and thats if there are any true Coventrians left here my grandaughter and her husband with 3 kids both born and bred here cant get on housing because they had to take private renting she now wants out of Coventry my sister in the past few months has left Coventry so has my two daughter with families and niece and her family have gone to also soon one of my other sisters and her daughter husband and kids are moving out to go to Bournemouth.

[rebbonk]

At some point in the future the wheel is going to come off and we're going to be stuck with lots of unused student accommodation.

We seem to learn nothing from the past about putting all our eggs in one basket.

[Melisandre]

Any thing thats been succesful in Coventry has been to do with wheels Rebbonk Looms Singer with bikes and sewing machines cars planes with the jet engine etc. So you might just be right

[dutchman]

The Radford Brook is a piddling little stream and there's no way it's ever going to look like that wide river in the artist's impression.

[dutchman]

Major 731 flats plan on edge of Coventry's ring road set for approval



A major plan for 731 apartments on the edge of Coventry’s ring road has been recommended for approval, despite residents’ claims it will “destroy” the area.

Complex Development Projects is seeking permission for apartments and 711sqm of retail and commercial space on the former National Grid site on Abbotts Lane.

The scheme spans between four to 22 storeys high and is more than seven times the 100 homes the site was allocated for in the council’s Local Plan.

CDP, which was loaned just under £1 million from WMCA to buy the site, believes it is a “great opportunity” to bring back brownfield land that has sat vacant since 2012.

But the scale is “too big”, residents say, fearing it will compound traffic and pollution problems in an already congested area.

Particular concern has been raised about access from Upper Hill Street which will run opposite St Osburg’s Primary School – a road already in line to become a new link road to the ring road and also set to form a new Coundon cycleway.

West Midlands Police have objected over the “inadequate” road structure and concerns over potential crime and anti-social behaviour, while ward councillor Gavin Lloyd is backing a 45-name petition and a further 28 letters against the bid.

The application fails to hit council policy in a string of areas including no affordable housing, only 0.4 of a required 5.18 hectares of green space, and only £1.2m of a requested £4.1m in Section 106 requirements to mitigate the impact on areas such as NHS end education.

But, with no other statutory consultee having opposed it, planning officer Hannah Holt has recommended approval.

Petition organiser Amrit Coyle has branded it a “crazy” decision.

She said: “When my daughter saw this she said she cannot believe it. All of these concerns and yet they are still putting it forward for approval.

“Lots of people around here are very concerned and upset. It is poor planning. It is too much in one area.

“There are no objections to the site being developed but it needs to be developed so it harmonizes the area, rather than destroying it.”

[rebbonk]

We are simply repeating mistakes of the past.

[dutchman]

Decision on major 731 flats plan in Coventry delayed



A decision on a major planning application for 731 apartments on the edge of Coventry’s ring road has been deferred until December.

The council’s planning committee was set to vote on the plans for the former National Grid site on Abbotts Lane today (November 12).

Complex Development Projects has put forward a bid for apartments spanning up to 22 storeys high with 711sqm of retail and commercial space included in the development.

Planning officer Hannah Holt recommended the scheme for approval ahead of the meeting, although ‘staff sickness’ has put this on hold.

A council spokesman said: “Due to staff sickness a decision was made to defer the application.

“This was agreed with the chair and vice chair of planning who recognise how important it is that applications are presented by the officer that knows and understands them best.

“This is important for applicants and objectors. The application is likely to be re scheduled for December 10, 2020.”

[dutchman]

How convenient?