COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

There would be six new shops and eight flats on the land in Longford



Land that played home to a bookies in Coventry could soon play home to new shops and flats. The city council has received a planning application for 2 Old Church Road, land which once played home to a Betfred.

But the building could be demolished to pave the way for a new future for the site. In its place would be six shops and eight flats with one bedroom on the first floor above.

The application explains that four flats are for people with learning disability. "The proposals building aim to create the new commercial shops on ground floor and first floor residential units to be matched to the buildings around and used materials," the application states.

It adds that each residential unit will entirely self-contained. It goes on to explain that the living accommodation has been designed with open plan lounge and kitchen areas, and all new bedrooms will comply with Spaces for Living SPG guidelines.

It concludes: "The proposals are considered to be compliant with policy and a positive addition to the environment in terms of use and design; the introduction of additional living space and commercial units in this area of Coventry, to replace vacant commercial space and site that is likely to remain unoccupied for the foreseeable future will be beneficial to the local community."

The application is now being looked at by officers at the city council. The plans can be looked at via the council's website, searching in the planning applications section for reference PL/2023/0002208/FUL.

Council refuses plans to demolish derelict Coventry building for new shops

Plans submitted to turn a small derelict site in Bell Green into six shops and eight flats have been refused by Coventry City Council. The site, a former bookies and adjacent land next to Coventry Building Society, has been unused for a number of years.

But the initial plans to transform the place have been refused by the council over several concerns. The proposals were initially submitted back in October 2023. The council has issued it's refusal this week - see here for the planning portal for more information.

Under 'description' for the application at 2 Old Church Road, it reads: "Demolition of existing building and erection of two story building accommodating six shops at ground floor level and eight flats at first floor level with associated alterations."

The kind of shops planned is not specified. The application does state that room will be made for 10 parking spaces and five cycle spaces.

Reasons stated in the council's refusal notice, include, but are not limited to, "over-development of the plot", "a detrimental impact upon the amenity of the neighbouring occupiers" and a "lack of provision of private amenity space and cycle storage for the flats" which would "result in a poor-quality living environment for future occupiers".

The refusal notice states: "In determining the application Coventry City Council have made the decision in a positive way to foster the delivery of sustainable development, working proactively with applicants to secure developments that improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area.

"The decision has been taken having regard to the impact of the development, and in particular to the policies and proposals in the adopted Coventry Local Plan 2017, and to all relevant material considerations, including the National Planning Policy Framework, and Supplementary Planning Guidance.

"The city council have worked in a seamless and timely manner to undertake the necessary liaison and negotiation with the applicant, third parties and statutory consultees (at the application and pre-application stages) to look for solutions which seek only high quality sustainable development."