New Coventry apartments will “restore building to its former glory”

[dutchman]

It's a historic site



Plans have been approved to turn a historic Coventry site into new apartments to help “restore the building to its former glory”.

The mixed-use building on 203-269 Foleshill Road will become 24 one and two-bed apartments, including four ‘live-work’ apartments.

The building was built in the early 1900s and was the former office of the Challenge cycle works – a key locally listed building in the Canal Conservation Area.

But little work has been done to it since the 1960s and plans have now been approved to covert it into flats.

The scheme aims to “to celebrate the most prominent features” of the historic building and “restore it to its former glory”.

Planning officer Nigel Smith, who approved the plans on Wednesday, March 25, said: “The proposal would assist in regenerating a prominent locally listed building on a major arterial road.

“The building currently has a slightly deteriorated scruffy appearance and the proposal would result in a significant visual improvement to the built environment.”

The changes will result in an additional storey of accommodation, which Mr Smith would result in a “rejuvenated building” and “enhance both the Foleshill Road frontage as well as the Canal Conservation Area”.

Plans also including demolishing workshops to the rear of the building to create 24 parking spaces – one per apartment, each with an electric vehicle charging point.

A cycle store would also provide space for 12 bikes.

The existing basement would also be converted into four retail/workshop spaces, which will each adjoin to a two-bed apartment on the ground floor, creating four ‘live-work’ apartments, with retail units accessible from the street via the existing entrances.

The site is still used by multiple businesses with current tenants including a gun club, catering company, tyre change garage, car body repair garage and a textile company.

Agent Callingham Associates, on behalf of the unnamed applicant, have stated the changes will “allow the building to continue to provide commercial services to passing trade”.

[dutchman]

I'm sure the Chinese students who go to live there will appreciate it!

[dutchman]

Student accommodation to be built on 'redundant' car park in Coventry



New student apartments are to be built on a “redundant” car park in Coventry.

Developers have been given permission to build 23 studio apartments in a new purpose-built student block on land adjacent to 203-269 Foleshill Road.

The car park was used for the historic former office of the Challenge cycle works, which itself received permission to be turned into 24 apartments in March 2020.

Granting approval this month, council planning officer Shamim Chowdhury said the current site was “neglected and unsightly”, with new plans enhancing the local area.

“The proposed development would provide an attractive accommodation suitable for students and would be an efficient use of land,” he said in a decision.

“The site is within a highly sustainable location. There is a bus stop on Foleshill Road outside the proposed building and around 20 minutes walking distance from Coventry University.

“The proposal would not affect any neighbouring residential occupiers and most important the proposal would regenerate the site and improve the visual amenity of the street scene and general character of the area.

“In particular, the proposal would be seen as an enhancement of the character and quality of the Coventry Canal Conservation area. Therefore, the proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle.”