COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

The DIY store will become a builders' merchant



Plans to convert Coventry's old Homebase store into a builders' merchant have been given the green light. Travis Perkins will open a new branch at the site on Henry Parkes Road in Canley in a move which could create 30 jobs.

The council had seven letters of objection to the scheme. Some residents were unhappy about the proposals.

Neighbours feared noise and air quality issues from having more HGVs in the area and open storage of building materials. But Coventry City Council officers recommended the plans for approval.

They said Travis Perkins would put measures in place to mitigate noise, traffic in the area will reduce and the building materials will not be harmful. Councillors on Coventry City Council's planning committee agreed and voted to give the plans approval on October 6.

No speakers were at the meeting to give their views on this application and there were no questions before the vote, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.

Coventry's Smile tagger strikes again and gives new clue on identity



Coventry's Smile tagger has struck again - and has given a new clue on their identity. For months, the word 'Smile' has been sprayed in graffiti on old buildings across the city

The latest, at the old Homebase store in Canley, has given a clue about the artist behind the tag. This time the graffiti does not simply read 'Smile', instead it says "Smile (heart shape) cats' with several exclamation marks.

Its appearance on the building comes as planning permission has been given for the old store to become a builders' merchant. Travis Perkins is set to open a new branch at the site on Henry Parkes Road in a move which could create 30 jobs.

Neighbours feared noise and air quality issues from having more HGVs in the area and open storage of building materials. But Coventry City Council officers recommended the plans for approval.