Proposal to build eight-storey student block yards from medieval Spon Street

[dutchman]

Designers say it will benefit the area



Plans have been put forward for a new student block metres away from one of Coventry's most historic streets. The purpose-built accommodation, 24 metres high at its tallest point under current designs, would replace an interiors showroom on the cul-de-sac Watch Close.

Its location is a one-minute walk from the city's iconic Spon Street, known for its listed medieval timber houses and Coventry's oldest surviving pub. The street, a magnet for tourists, makes up most of the Spon Street conservation area created in the late 1960s after the road was split in half by the city's new ring-road.

The 68-bed student block would also be within this conservation area, on the south-west boundary. But designers of the accommodation claim it would improve its immediate surroundings, while they say new students would boost the area's economy.

The buildings the new scheme could replace were put up relatively recently and are "not of the same style, standard, and quality" as those on Spon Street, according to a design and access statement submitted with the plans. Graffiti is also a current problem for the site, the plans say. And while the buildings do screen the area from the ring-road and mask its noise, so will the replacement student block, those behind the scheme say.

The new accommodation is claimed to be "sympathetically designed" with traditional materials and is set out in tiers going from eight down to four storeys, its backers claim. The scheme would also create jobs during construction and help reduce demand for privately rented student accommodation, freeing up homes for families, the plans say.

Other stated benefits include "supporting economic recovery by providing a welcome socio-economic boost for the area, with the introduction of 68 new student residents." But the site does have some constraints, according to the statement. It is in a cul-de-sac, meaning all vehicles going in and out would have to leave the same way.

Neighbouring buildings restrict window and access points so there would be fewer opportunities for light to come into the building at its lower levels, the scheme adds. A heritage statement with the plans says the current building has little merit and the block would make a positive contribution.

This statement, produced by a conservation architect, concludes: "The existing single storey structure is of no architectural or historical merit, and its replacement with a new high quality building will improve this small hidden section of the Spon Street Conservation Area, hopefully acting as a catalyst for further redevelopment."

Floor layouts for the block show it would have a range of studios and flats, plus two roof terraces. It comes a decade after a five-storey building with 15 apartments was given planning permission to go up on the site.

But delays to a 1.5 metre sewer led to the scheme not going ahead. The new plan is still being considered by Coventry City Council officers and members of the public can comment on the council's planning portal.

[rebbonk]

We don't need any more student accommodation. We have already had student accommodation reclassified because it wasn't being used. This imbecilic building, 'just because we can' must be stopped.

[dutchman]

Coventry Caribbean centre threatened by student flats plan



A Caribbean centre has complained it might have to close if a seven-storey student accommodation block is built next door.

Colin Bell, who chairs the Coventry Caribbean Association, said the centre needed be open until early in the morning and often played loud music.

He fears noise complaints from people in the proposed flats could restrict its ability to function.

The Caribbean centre has objected to the plans and submitted a petition.

Mr Bell said the building, which opened in 1983, was "very precious" to the Caribbean community in the city and was the only gathering place of its type.

But he said it was essential to its customers they were able to express their culture and that was "sometimes with loud reggae music" until up to 06:00.

"All we need is a few complaints here and there and it affects our licence, our ability to function," he said.

A planning application has been received by the council for 66 student rooms over seven floors, on the site of a former showroom.

Mr Bell said he was shocked when he had seen the plans and believes the flats would also block the Caribbean centre in and affect its sunlight.

Seyi Agbolla, the councillor who represents Binley and Willenhall, said: "The one thing that makes Coventry a great city is our diversity."

He also fears the flats will affect the ability of the Caribbean centre to function and said it was "imperative we preserve every community group".

The planning application said the building would be "a significant opportunity for redevelopment close to the expanding campus of Coventry University and the city centre".

It also said it would bring "vitality to a currently under-occupied part of the city".

The city council said its environmental protection team had objected to the current proposals and had asked for more information about the likely impact on the Caribbean centre.

It said it had also raised concerns about the height of the proposed building and was awaiting revised plans, showing a smaller scheme.

It added: "If the applicants can't address the concerns of the Caribbean club, the application will be recommended for refusal."

[dutchman]

Mr Bell said the building, which opened in 1983

Not true! It was an ex-servicemen's club for many years before that and exactly why they chose Spon End for a Caribbean Centre has never been explained? There were very few people of Caribbean origin or descent living on the estate at that time. There were a lot of people on the estate whose social life depended on the ex-servicemen's club. Life on the estate went downhill very soon after the ex-servicemen's club was closed to them. Having lived in close proximity to the Caribbean Centre for forty years since it first opened I'm not aware of a single benefit it has brought to the residents of Spon End.