Plan for 156 homes on Coventry farm...

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Plans for homes were approved in 2016 but lapsed



A bid for homes has returned on farmland in Coventry.

Coventry City Council is seeking outline consent to demolish the existing farmhouse and barn at Elm Fields Farm, off Wigston Road, in Woodway Park, to build up to 156 homes.

The authority, which owns the land, had an application for up to 150 homes approved in 2016 however building work never took place and permission has now lapsed.

In planning submissions the city council has said the proposals will include a mix of house types to “respond to local market demand”.

However changes in the new plan, which increase the number of homes by six and add vehicle access off Norman Avenue, have already sparked a petition with more than 270 signatures from residents in opposition.

The majority of the site comprises undeveloped land and residents claim it unnecessarily removes features including an ancient pond, trees and bushes.

Concern has also been raised over a new access off Norman Avenue, close to Grace Academy School. Planning reports suggest an increase in up to 85 peak hour vehicle trips, but residents argue the impact on the roads network will be more given the site has 322 parking spaces.

Petition organiser Paul Rowell, who lives next to the proposed site, said: “The impact on transport is a big concern for me as Wigston Road is already a nightmare.

“Before Covid there would be queues from the McDonald’s every morning.

Even if you take their word for it that it could result in another 85 cars that would still be very difficult for the area.

“The entrance is also within yards from the entrance of the school and that corner is notorious for cars speeding around so it is not an ideal place.

“My strong objection is removing the parts of land that with a little bit of thought and care could be worked around. There is no need to remove some of this land.”

The council did not answer media questions on why the previous planning approval lapsed.

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Plan to build 150 homes on former farm in Coventry approved



Councillors have approved unanimously an outline planning application to build up to 150 new homes on the site of former farm in Coventry.

Members of Coventry City Council’s planning committee gave the green light to the residential scheme - put forward by the council - at Elm Fields Farm on Wigston Road in the Henley ward.

It paves the way for the submission of a detailed planning application to create new homes on the council-owned site in due course.

It is not the first time an outline application has been approved for the site, which was included in the areas earmarked for development in Coventry’s 2016 Local Plan.

An outline planning application for 150 homes on the land was approved in 2017 but building work never took place and permission lapsed.

Initially the latest application, which was announced in February, increased the number of homes by six to 156 but that was then reduced to the original figure of 150.

The application sparked a petition with more than 270 signatures from residents in opposition.

The council received 122 letters of objection to the latest application covering a wide range of issues.

They included loss of trees and hedges, the loss of the existing barn and the loss of an ancient pond (the site has two ponds).

Other concerns raised regarded the loss of green space, an increase in traffic and congestion and claims that additional housing is not needed.

Just one letter of support was received.