COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

The request has hit a brick wall as planning officers point out a series of issues



Plans to demolish part of a Coventry building dating from the 1800s have been thrown out. A request was made to take down one side of an unlisted 19 century build at 171 Grange Road and replace it with three terraced houses.

But planning officers for Coventry City Council refused the request. A number of objections were raised, including from the Highways department, which questioned the impact on parking, and the planning authority's ecologist who raised concerns about biodiversity.

A planning report also raised concerns about the character of the area and the impact the replacement houses would have on neighbouring properties.

The decision notice said: "By virtue of its siting, massing and relationship with the neighbouring property the partial demolition of the 19th century building would have a substantial impact on the setting of designated heritage assets Coventry Canal Conservation Area and the Grade II Listed 175-177 Grange Road without any significant public benefits.

"It would also create a dysfunctional and imbalanced development with the remaining half of the non-designated heritage asset (no.173 Grange Road)."

It added: "By virtue of the size and location of the built development, the proposal would see the creation of a group of substandard residential plots which are of an insufficient size and have an inappropriate layout leading to a poor quality residential environment.

"It would also see a significant impact on the amenities of nos.1-3 Rafferty Adams Way due to loss of privacy, overlooking and sense of enclosure which will be felt as a result of the significant increase in massing."

The notice continued: "The proposed development would result in a negative impact on the highway as the site fails to provide sufficient off-street parking for three dwelling houses and meet parking standards - the applicant has also not demonstrated that any shortfall in parking provision could accommodate on-street.

"The provision of an 18m long dropped kerb to provide access to all three dwelling houses would also be a significant hazard for pedestrians. The proposal would therefore have a negative impact on highways safety."

The full request and subsequent refusal can be read at the council's planning portal website using reference PL/2025/0001392/FUL.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/plans-demolish-19th-century-coventry-32830071