Government lists more post-war Coventry buildings, 'threatening' City centre redevelopmentTHE government has controversially listed more post-war buildings in Coventry city centre to protect them due to their “national importance”.
But council chiefs say it could hold up and threatens a vital planned multi-million-pound redevelopment of the struggling city centre.
We revealed earlier this month the proposal by heritage watchdog Historic England to recommend the government lists buildings with canopies over shop fronts in Upper Precinct, the former Leofric Hotel and Woolworth buildings, and more.
Historic England confirmed today the government’s Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport has agreed to the grade 11 listings.
They also include listing the legendary Locarno nightclub building, now the Central Library, Smithford Way.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, re-iterated today it serves as a disincentive to developers to go-ahead with long-awaited plans to rejuvenate the flagging central shopping area.
He said those plans are, in any case, sympathetic to the celebrated post-war architecture of the Gibson plan, and include the removal of the unpopular 1990s addition, the Upper Precinct escalator.
Coun O’Boyle added actions such as the listing of canopies over the empty former BHS store could affect potential profit margins for developers, and put them off going ahead with escalator removal.
He said frank discussions were continuing with Historic England.
Coun O’Boyle today accused Historic England of “double standards”.
He said some of the overhanging canopies had already been removed at the double-fronted Waterstone’s bookshop building on the corner of Smithford Way and the Lower Precinct, itself revamped decades ago in sympathy with the original Gibson plan.
But Historic England said today…
“The national significance of Coventry’s post-war architecture has been recognised with eight places in the city listed.
“They are:
- Former Hotel Leofric, Grade II
- Former Woolworths building, Grade II
- Former Locarno Dancehall – now the Central Library, Grade II
- Former British Home Stores, Grade II
- Levelling Stone, Grade II
- Broadgate Standard, Grade II
- Marks and Spencer, Grade II
- North & South Link Blocks and Piazza, Grade II
“These newly listed buildings form part of the first, and among the largest, post-war city centre developments to be planned in the country.
“The innovative scheme for the precinct includes the earliest example of a shopping centre in England that separated cars and people, with a confident, kind and imaginative approach to public spaces for everyone.
“Coventry is a designated Heritage Action Zone and has also been named UK City of Culture 2021.
“The city’s heritage and rare architecture have an important role to play in celebrating what is special about Coventry and in helping to bring about economic prosperity for those who live and work there.”
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said:
“These listings mean that the scheme for the Upper Precinct which already has planning permission will now need Listed Building Consent as well. Historic England will advise on the proposals as quickly as possible when the formal application is made, but the decision on any application lies with the local planning authority, Coventry City Council.”
“The reinvention of Coventry after the Second World War and the vital role that its post-war architecture played in restoring pride and confidence was renowned internationally.
“The buildings, built between 1948 and 1958, form the centrepiece of Coventry’s post-war reconstruction and reflect the spirit of a re-born city. They deserve the recognition and protection that listing brings. The generation that fought the Second World War lost a great many of their buildings and special places. They had to rebuild and reshape their England, and they did a remarkable job.”