Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flats...

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Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flats...

Postby dutchman » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:35 pm

An historic bakery could be flattened to make way for more student housing in Coventry.

Plans have been submitted to Coventry City Council to build a three-storey block of student accommodation on the site of the old Pails Bakery, which has stood in Craven Street, Chapelfields, for more than a century.

The proposal would see the demolition of the old building for a new block featuring 13 bedrooms with shared living rooms and kitchens on each floor.

There would also be eight secure cycle spaces, but no car parking.

The scheme has angered residents who argue it would lead to over-crowding in the area, increased pressure on parking and the loss of a historic building if it gets the go-ahead.

Carta – Chapelfields Area Residents and Traders – has submitted an objection to the city council which states: “While Carta welcomes students to the area we feel that the balance is starting to tip too far in one direction and long time residents are become increasingly disillusioned with the noise, rubbish, unkempt gardens and general lack of care for the area.

“Many families are moving out rather than stay which changes the unique make-up of the population within the area.”

The bakery closed its doors in July 2008 after 110 years serving bread and cakes.

A plan to turn the premises into two art studios, a gallery and a coffee shop was approved by the council last year but the development failed to go ahead.

Objecting to the latest plan on grounds of conservation, a resident of nearby Sir Thomas White’s Road said: “I object to the demolition of the old bakery because it is an important building within the Chapelfields Conservation Area and its removal would further erode the special nature of the historic watchmakers’ district, which is unique in the city, and for which many people came to live here. We should be conserving the buildings we have if at all possible.”

Architects SPG, on behalf of applicant Sarah Bergoine, said the design would be sympathetic to the character of the local area.

Their application said: “In design terms, the overall aim of the development is to create distinctiveness and quality. This has been achieved by drawing inspiration from the existing forms, scale, massing and styles of adjacent properties, and by selective use of appropriate materials, thoughtful details and modern form where appropriate.”

The consultation ends on Thursday, December 13.

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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flat

Postby dutchman » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:33 pm

Plan to demolish Coventry's historic Pails Bakery withdrawn

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to demolish an historic bakery in Coventry to make way for student flats has been withdrawn.

The scheme had proposed the demolition of the 100-year-old Pails Bakery in Craven Street, Chapelfields, to transform the site into a three-storey block of student accommodation.

It sparked an angry backlash from people in the local community who argued it would lead to overcrowding, increased pressure on parking and the loss of a historic building.

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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flat

Postby dutchman » Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:02 pm

Fresh Pails Bakery site plan expected

THE developer behind controversial plans to demolish an historic bakery has returned to the drawing board.

An application to knock down the 100-year-old Pails Bakery in Chapelfields, Coventry, to make way for student flats has been withdrawn, as the Telegraph previously reported.

A ward councillor for the area has been told agent SPG Design Ltd, acting on behalf of the applicant, intends to submit a fresh application for the bakery building.

The original application proposed the site’s demolition to transform it into a three-storey block of student accommodation with 13 bedrooms, but it was pulled before it was due to go before a council planning meeting this week.

The Telegraph has learned that it was withdrawn because the scheme was set to be recommended for refusal following objections from the council’s highways and conservation departments.

A conservation officer’s objection report stated: “The proposed development goes against the grain of the area by replacing a subsidiary building with a three-storey structure which is probably the tallest building in the Chapelfields Conservation Area. The result of this is that the building dominates the street scene rather than blending in with it.”

Also commenting on their reasons for objecting to the scheme, a highways officer’s report said: “This site is located in an area where the majority of dwellings have no off-street parking, and demand for on-street parking is therefore high.

“I have concerns with a House of Multiple Occupation of the size proposed in this location, particularly because of the complex parking demands experienced in the Craven Street area.”

The plan had also sparked an angry backlash from the local community on the grounds it would lead to overcrowding, increased pressure on parking and the loss of an historic building.

Councillor Bally Singh (Lab, Whoberly) had been informed by the council’s planning department that the scheme was due to be recommended for refusal and that the developer intends to submit a fresh application.

Describing it as a ‘short-term victory’ for the local community, he said: “I’m glad that they have withdrawn the application because it was extremely unpopular in the local community.

“The Pails Bakery building is much loved. It’s not that residents are against any development, they just want to preserve the building for future generations.

“The developers should work with the community on any new application.”

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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flats...

Postby dutchman » Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:50 pm

Chapelfields residents want to buy Pails and Son bakery

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Residents in Coventry hope to purchase and re-open a former city bakery by offering shares in a new scheme.

Organisers of the Craven Street Community Bakery project want to buy the former Pails and Son building in the Chapelfields area.

The shop closed in 2008 but plans would see the bakery restored along with the creation of a small cafe, artist's studio and community space.

Shares in the £300,000 project will be available in blocks of £50 from 1 May.

Local artist Adam Hussain is one of five residents near the Craven Street building who have helped get the project started.

Mr Hussain, who wants to use part of the first floor as a studio for his glassworks, said they decided to get together after hearing about plans to have the bakery knocked down and turned into accommodation.

'Conservation area'

He said: "We were going to buy the property three years ago. We had architectural plans but the bid collapsed.

"We heard about the plans for the student flats last year. That's when the group first got together with five of us pushing forward."

The group said it has spoken to current owners about the proposals and have just announced that if it is successful in raising the amount needed to buy and renovate the property it will be called Craven Crusts.

People will be invited to buy blocks of shares up to a maximum of £20,000.

A professional baker would look after the bakery although Mr Hussain admits the finer detail about what shareholders can expect in return is still to be decided.

Mr Hussain added: "It's all about bringing something back to the community.

"The lack of name was stopping us set up the website and start selling shares.

"Because it is in the conservation area much of it will look the same from the outside."

:bbc_news:
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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flats...

Postby dutchman » Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:29 pm

Here's the original BBC video report of the bakery closure...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7517612.stm
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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flat

Postby dutchman » Tue May 07, 2013 6:48 pm

Fundraisers make dough so Coventry bakery can rise again

LOCALS have toasted to the future of a historic bakery – amid ambitious plans to see it rise again as a community venture.

The first fundraiser for the relaunch of the 100-year-old Pails Bakery, in Chapelfields, was held at the neighbouring Craven Arms pub on Sunday.

The gig was held to raise cash towards creating the renamed Craven Crusts bakery with a cafe downstairs as well as an artists’ and community space upstairs.

Sunday’s event, which also included a cook-off hosted by top city chef Rois Ali, gave residents the chanceto learn more about opportunities to own a slice of the venue’s future.

Plans to demolish the old family-run bakery in Craven Street for student flats were withdrawn in December after strong opposition.

As part of the effort to rescue the building, a community shares scheme is soon to be launched with residents able to buy a stake in the scheme.

Each share cost £50 and the maximum you can purchase is £20,000.

The project needs to raise at least £300,000.

Former Coventry City Council planning officer Michael Adkins and his wife Hazel travelled from their home in Shropshire to pledge their support on the day.

Mr Adkins, who found out about the scheme through the Craven Crusts Facebook page which now has more than 450 members, is watching the development with interest because he hopes to follow the model to save a local swimming pool near where he lives.

He said: “It’s changed ownership a lot and its future isn’t certain so we’re looking to create a community venture to improve it and turn it into a leisure centre.”

A board made up of seven committee members is steering the Craven Crusts project.

Chairman Dave Condron said: “This is a community project so without the community it won’t happen.

“The success isn’t very tangible at the moment but what is tangible is the amount of people behind it.

“It was a general desire to do something good that made me want to get involved.”

Work is set to begin in October with plans to convert the space into an artisan bakery making bread to sell directly to the public over the counter and possibly online.

The café would sell products produced by the bakery and outside sources. It would also feature a community space for events and an art space with a resident artist to showcase locally produced work.

To support the scheme visit http://www.cravencrusts.com

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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flat

Postby dutchman » Fri Apr 10, 2015 4:48 pm

Former Coventry bakery to be auctioned off after failed community bid to buy building

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A much-loved former Coventry bakery is up for sale after a failed community bid to buy the building.

The old Pails bakery in Craven Street, Chapelfields, is on the market and expected to fetch at least £130,000 when it is auctioned off next month.

The two-storey shop has stood empty since the family-run Pails stopped trading in August 2008 and has been subject to a number of bids to breathe new life in to the property.

These included plans to knock it down and build student flats in its place, which were withdrawn in December 2012, before residents in the area stepped forward with their own scheme to save the 100-year-old bakery.

The venture, named Craven Crusts, was launched in the summer of 2013 and saw locals offered shares in a co-operative scheme as they looked to raise a total of £350,000 to buy the bakery and turn it in to an art studio, cafe and artisan bakery space.

However, it didn’t generate the interest, or the money, needed and the idea was finally put to one side.

The building is currently subject to approved planning permission from Coventry City Council to be demolished and replaced by three apartments.

Carole Donnelly, who was chairman of Craven Crusts, said: “Craven Crusts won the hearts but not the minds or the bank balances, and in hindsight maybe we were over-ambitious.

“I did re-cost it but chose not to go ahead.

“It is really sad to see the bakery deteriorate over the last two years since I launched Craven Crusts with some amazing, passionate people. We gave it our best shot.

“My heart says try again, but my head says let it go.

“The new plans are more in keeping with our conservation area as it’s been derelict for too long.

“I wish the new owners well and if they want to open a bakery instead of demolition, I’d be more than happy to help.

“One plea is for them to allow the oven and window hatch to be saved and given to the community.”

The property will be sold by Right Move via an auction at the Village Urban Resort, in Dolomite Avenue, Canley, on May 21 at 6.30pm.

Anyone wanting to view the premises can call 024 7652 7789.

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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flat

Postby dutchman » Mon Jul 27, 2015 4:30 pm

Arsonists torch former Pails Bakery in Chapelfields

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A witness has described how a fire ripped through a flat above a former Coventry bakery.

Fire crews from Canley were called to the Pails Bakery in Craven Street, Chapelfields, around 10.30pm last night after arsonists targeted the derelict flat above the shop.

They spent an hour tackling the blaze which is suspected to have been caused by a bottle of petrol.

A 47-year-old resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “There were two engines and a dozen firemen. My neighbour said he left to go to the pub and he saw smoke coming out of the door. He heard a ‘whoosh’ sound. By the time the firemen came the flames appeared to have died down.

“The only access to the flat is the steps. I don’t think there’s anything up there, it’s empty.”

A section of the residential road was taped off during the incident.

The two-storey shop has stood empty since the family-run Pails stopped trading in August 2008.

It was subject of a community bid to buy it and turn it into an art studio, cafe and artisan bakery space.

Carole Donnelly, from the community group that organised the bid, named Craven Crusts, posted on Facebook: “My heart sunk and the tears began to flow as I walked up the street to see for myself the damage to the building that had not only won, but broken my heart at the same time.

“Thankfully the damage isn’t too bad, it could have been a lot worse.”

Police confirmed the blaze was being treated as arson.

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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flat

Postby rebbonk » Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:26 pm

Now, you can call me cynical, but this seems quite convenient.
Of course it'll fit; you just need a bigger hammer.
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Re: Chapelfields bakery could be demolished for student flat

Postby Melisandre » Sun Nov 15, 2015 10:35 pm

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