Kenilworth Road residents ordered to take down their gates

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Dozens of families living on one of Coventry’s wealthiest streets have been given just two months to take down the gateways to their homes.



Council bosses say that as many as 40 homes in Kenilworth Road must remove the structures as they are restricting access to provide tree management at The Spinney – the council-owned narrow woodland that runs between the homes and the roadside.

The timeline of just eight weeks was set in stone by the cabinet member for community safety and equalities, Coun Phil Townshend, yesterday and the council is even prepared to take enforcement action if householders fail to comply with the timeframe.

Each household will have eight weeks to either remove the pillars, gates or splay, or inform the council of any “legal or extenuating circumstances”.

Coun Townshend said: “Many people refer to Kenilworth Road as one of the most beautiful leading in to the city and I expect our officers to deal with this compassionately and tolerantly.”

The Spinney also falls within the Kenilworth Road Conservation area which means the council have a statutory obligation to stop anything that “detracts from the character and appearance of the area”.

Letters had already been sent out to affected homes - just as they were 12 months ago, but back then only three properties took any action.

Ian Simpson, who is considering getting some gates set back from the roadside outside his home in Kenilworth Road where he has lived for the last two years, said: “We had one of the council’s letters last year and there was a time period to put things right and we haven’t heard anything since.

"I totally agree with the council on this and it is slightly arrogant if people shut if off as it is owned by the city.”

Another homeowner on the scenic road, who wished not to be named, said: “I’ve done everything by the book, but there are some naughty people who don’t and everyone should do it the right way.”

The city council revealed that most homes have been granted an express right of way, but some have not and it is those who are seen by the council to be “trespassing” on the land.

Coun Townshend also approved plans for guidance to be prepared for homeowners telling them what is, and isn’t, acceptable for their driveways.

The guidance will delivered to the houses within four weeks.

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No action over illegal Kenilworth Road gates - two years after council told residents of Coventry’s most exclusive road to remove them

The city council has softened its stance with residents of Coventry’s most exclusive road over their illegal gates and walls.

It is now over two years since home owners on Kenilworth Road were threatened with legal action if they didn’t take down the structures within two months.

A large number of the houses - many of which are worth around £1million - still retain their illegal features though and after initially taking a tough stance the council has admitted it’s not taken any legal action.

The authority say it is now banking on persuasion, rather than prosecution, in resolving the dispute.

A spokesman said: “So far we have not taken any legal action against anyone living on Kenilworth Road for their mistreatment of The Spinney.

“But this is an on-going process and it’s an issue that we are still concerned about.

“Following contact with some of the property owners a number of them have taken action to remove gates or fences and we are continuing to work with the people who haven’t complied with our requests.”

The Spinney, which lies between the road and the properties, is not owned by the residents but by the council.

They have right of access across woodland to their houses but this does not allow them to restrict access to the public.

The council’s tough line two years ago was not their first attempt to remedy the situation.

A year before in March 2013 letters had been sent to all affected properties but only three took action.