'Undesirable' apartments plan in Coventry rejected

[dutchman]

The plan would have built on a former church hall



An “undesirable and incongruous” apartments plan on a former church hall in Coventry has been refused by the council’s planning officers.

Applicant CT Estates Ltd hoped to build a two-and-a-half storey apartment building on the site of Saint Mary’s Hall on Athol Road, in Walsgrave.

The site consisted of 18 self-contained apartments, with open plan living areas, kitchen and dining areas, bathrooms, bedrooms, storage and circulation areas.

But a decision by Coventry City Council’s planning officer Tracy Miller criticised the plans as “undesirable and incongruous development of overall poor design and appearance”.

Head of planning Ms Miller also said the plans failed to provide a satisfactory environment for residents due to views from windows and lack of private space.

Other reasons for refusal included a lack of infrastructure for affordable housing, education, health care and open space provision.

There was also insufficient on-site parking for residents and visitors, she said.

In their application, CT Estates hoped the site would be used as ‘key worker’ accommodation for staff at the nearby hospital, and given its proximity it could be used to “promote walking, cycling and public transport use”.

The existing Saint Mary’s Hall was put up for sale in April 2017 and has been vacant since.