Spon End cottages could be knocked down for student flats

[dutchman]

Plans have been drawn up to demolish a row of 19th Century cottages in a Coventry conservation area to make way for student flats.



Coventry City Council’s planning department is currently considering the application for the four storey block of 44 studio flats just off Spon Street.

The hidden row of historic cottages are behind a row of dilapidated sheds which front on to Lower Holyhead Road – but the student plan has raised objections from neighbouring businesses.

The flats plan by Marchini Curran Associate is over the road from similar student accommodation, but the new site falls within the Spon Street Conservation Area.

Chris Patrick, the city council’s conservation and archaeology officer, has recommended that the application is refused.

He said: “The modern shed structures fronting on to Lower Holyhead Road are in poor condition and have a negative impact on the Spon Street Conservation Area, but behind them are a row of earlier cottages.

“These are among the last surviving rows of 19th Century court housing left in the city and are potentially of high significance to Coventry’s history and the character of the conservation area.

"These buildings should be recorded and their significance assessed before we can consider granting Conservation Area Consent for any demolition to take place.”

The new owners of the Rising Sun pub in Spon Street have objected to the plan, insisting it could thwart their plans to redevelop the venue.

Jaz Somal said he plans to create a gastro pub and micro brewery there making use of the Rising Sun’s extensive beer garden at the rear – which will be overshadowed by the new student block just one metre away.

He said: “I am objecting by exercising my rights as a neighbour to object to any application that prejudices my right to run a viable business and make use of the assets of my property to create an offering that is unique to Coventry.”

A neighbouring funeral service run by the Heart of England Co-op has also written to the council to raise concerns.

John Bridges, of Heart of England Co-op, said: “We would like to bring to the council’s attention our concerns over the lack of compatibility between the proposed use of the site and the sensitive nature of this neighbouring business.

"The quiet and peaceful surrounds of that part of Lower Holyhead Road are an integral aspect of the service we offer to our grieving clients.”

The application is still being considered by council officers.

[rebbonk]

Coventry is making (has made) a big mistake relying so heavily on students.

[dutchman]

Cottages in Spon End to be demolished to make way for student flats



THE demolition of a row of 19th century cottages has been given the go-ahead to make way for student flats.

The cottages are behind a row of dilapidated shed fronts in Lower Holyhead Road, Spon End, and will now be replaced by 44 studio flats.

The development, off Spon Street, has raised objections from Coventry City Council’s conservation and archaeology officer who said the hidden cottages were “among the last surviving rows of 19th century court housing left in the city”.

The flats plan by Marchini Curran Associate will be opposite similar student accommodation, but within the Spon Street Conservation Area.

The Coventry Society has opposed the planned demolition and challenged the developer to incorporate the historic cottages in to any design.

Keith Draper, of the Coventry Society, said: “This is a premier conservation site for goodness sake.

“Surely we need to ask ourselves the question; should we be levelling the site to make way for a speculative modern student flat development? Or should we be pressing the developer for a plan that better suits this historic corner?”

Planning committee councillors decided the student development would rid the area of an eyesore created when the buildings were converted into a commercial property in 1957.

The officers report said: “The last use of the property was a shop/warehouse selling tiles which ceased in 2003 and the property is now in an extremely dilapidated state.

It concluded: “The application is considered acceptable in that its demolition and subsequent redevelopment will have the greater potential to make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the street scene and Spon Street Conservation Area.”

A late condition was added to the planning consent requiring Marchini Curran Associate to carry out a building assessment of the site which must be approved by planning officers to ensure any development is in keeping with the conservation area.

Mr Draper insisted the historic area should be better protected, adding: “We must appeal to the owners for a sympathetic building that fits with Spon Street."