Grand civic square planned as part of £5m city centre revamp

[dutchman]

A grand civic square outside the Council House and courts is being planned as part of a major £5million revamp of Coventry city centre.



The wide-ranging plan includes revamping streets to create a giant “heritage quarter” stretching to the London Road Cemetery and medieval Charterhouse opposite – where there is a bid for Lottery cash to create a visitor attraction.

Coventry city councillors on Tuesday approved more development of the plans, and implementation as funding becomes available.

The plans have arisen out of the planned move of council staff to a new tower block at the proposed Friargate office development near Coventry station - and the potential sell-off of existing council office buildings.

An officers’ report to councillors states there is an “opportunity to create a civic space in front of the Council House that is worthy of an ambitious city and sets the standard for the redevelopment of the area that will be released by the move to Friargate.”

It adds: “The decision to relocate council offices to Friargate will create a major development site.

“There are a number of good quality buildings in the area and we have the opportunity to set the standard for a new development through the creation of a high quality public space in front of the Council House.”

Labour councillor Rachel Lancaster, cabinet member for public services, told the council it would “shift the city centre’s focus towards the heritage of the city.”

She added: “We need to ensure work is done before Friargate begins so traffic can drive round the city while this is happening.”

Tory group leader, councillor John Blundell, said it would “make the city more appealing” and improve connections to Friargate.

The plans include substantial changes to “Public Realm 2” plans approved in October last year - which have already seen new “shared space” junctions at Little Park Street and New Union Street, changes to High Street and Spon Street, and the Bishop Street Pocket Park.

Other changes to roads and junctions will be brought forward because of approval for a Friargate Bridge over the ring road outside the railway station, which would create road disruption with Warwick Road being closed during 2014. Other city centre roads would have to remain open at that time.

The council hopes to attract additional European funding for the plans, which would have “a greater focus on the city’s heritage offer as a key to regeneration”.

Refurbished routes would link the city’s key “heritage and development” sites.

Additional funding of £315,000 for “Gosford Gate” has become available from the Homes and Communities Agency and Liveability Funding for a route from Broadgate to Far Gosford Street.

There would be refurbishment and improvements to routes to the Charterhouse in Charterhouse Fields, where there are trust plans to open it as a public attraction with Lottery funding. Centro has offered an additional £140,000 to enable Trinity Street improvements to be brought forward.

There could also be sponsorship for a green space at Lidice Place to draw help visitors into medieval Spon Street.

There would be no additional council expenditure.

[dutchman]

The wide-ranging plan includes revamping streets to create a giant “heritage quarter” stretching to the London Road Cemetery and medieval Charterhouse opposite – where there is a bid for Lottery cash to create a visitor attraction.

After they've destroyed 99% of it since the war!

[rebbonk]

Another glorified patio!

[PoundShopPeter]

Coventry. The Square City.

Perhaps they should remodel the three spires into rectangular spires so they fit in a bit better?

Maybe they should turn the whole city centre into one giant square with all the £1 shops, bookies and charity shops underneath it? UNDER THE SQUARE Shopping Complex. I can get a 5 year old to draw up a fab 'artists impression'.