July 2014

More news and views on our website: www.coventrysociety.org.uk

When the Planning Committee met last month to consider a proposal for yet another development on the Warwick University land it was hardly surprising that residents in the area were up in arms over the prospect of yet more traffic in Cannon Park.

The development—a high quality designed National Automotive Innovation Centre for academic and business use, would see more than 1,000 people employed on the site. To accommodate the needs of its staff there’s a proposed multi-storey and surface car park off Lynchgate Road, near to the Tesco supermarket. While there was widespread support for the project in principle , because of the traffic and inadequate traffic infrastructure, there were pleas from local people and their representatives for the application to be refused. Significantly the former chairman of planning, Cllr Kevin Maton was there to

comment on the proposal, even suggesting that the need for rapid transit in the city should be back on the agenda. Senior member Cllr John McNicholas endorsed the concept. So clearly there is a fresh concern that in some areas of the city, like Cannon Park, the infrastructure for even more road traffic is unsustainable. But haven’t we been here before—more than 20 years ago! Remember the Midland Metro publishing routes in 1990? They could ease road congestion – from Tile Hill and Canley, through Earlsdon to the station, city centre, then out to Willenhall. The furore among residents in Earlsdon was interesting when they considered that Earlsdon’s shopping street would be obliterated by the trams. Then there was the "bus that thinks it's a tram"? It would be the first of its kind in the country in which vehicles can switch from tramlines to ordinary roads. What a good idea especially when it could be running through the streets of Coventry by 2008. A route would run directly to the Ricoh Arena. Another would run along Kenilworth Road serving Warwick University. One resident from Finham was reported as saying: “Great idea! Just what the city needs, a type of public transport which is quick and which we can trust. Good idea too to run to the new arena, for home and away supporters!” Another said: “I have been to other cities in this country where trams are currently running through the city centres and found they

have a very positive effect on noise and traffic pollution.” But we are where we are, and the plans for a National Automotive Innovation Centre were approved along with proposals for the new multi-storey car park on campus and outdoor parking near to Lynchgate Road, as well changes to the road layout and a new roundabout on Lynchgate Road itself. As objectors claimed: “The development is contrary to the NPPF and development plan policies as over 90% of staff are

expected to travel by car. Isn’t it time the Council stopped its dilly dallying with paper proposals for an alternative transport scheme that will truly meet the needs of the city in the 21st Century? Whether it’s the “bus that thinks it’s tram” or Metro routes across the city, we need to start thinking beyond just more cars and car parking as Cllr Maton implied at last month’s planning meeting.

Coventry University got planning permission for its Health and Science building despite the objection from Coventry Society. We were concerned about the proximity of the massive six-storey proposal to both grade 2* listed buildings in Much Park St - Whitefriars Gatehouse (the former toy museum) and the merchant's house ruin. Planning officers negotiated a gap between the new and old buildings for the outline application that was approved last year. But this new application proposed to fill the gap with a horrendous gas bottle storage compound.

An objection from English Heritage led to the gas store being split in two with one part hidden by a wall fronting Whitefriars Lane, the other a small circular decorative metal cage inside the compound. We were not satisfied with this compromise and kept up our opposition, forcing the application to be heard by committee when the planners were trying to approve it themselves. There was a lot of debate in the planning committee and sympathetic comment by some councillors, but in the end their decision went against us.

Impression: The bus that thinks it’s a tram passing the Council House

Quality building: The National Automotive Innovation Centre

Led by Les Fawcett on Monday, July 14 starting from The Red Lion at Walsgrave at 6.30 pm Short and long there-and-back walk. Stout footwear recommended Visitors welcome—no charge on this occasion

CIVIC DAY was marked in Coventry with our event to kick-start an ongoing project that will see the restoration of the city’s River Sherbourne. Held at Charterhouse and on the fields bordering the river, the Society staged a picture display showing the various sections of the river from its source to the point where it joins the River Sowe.

And on two occasions during the day a Powerpoint talk showing the course of the river was presented to a capacity audience by Chris Daniel using slides put together by Colin Walker. In adjacent rooms there were display boards from the Sowe Valley Project and Charterhouse Residents Association

campaign. A popular meeting point was The Little Vintage Cake Company where home-baked cakes and teas were served throughout the day. See more pictures on our Flickr pages.

COMPARED to Coventry, which has experienced some major upheavals at various points in its history, the town of Warwick has remained relatively undisturbed in its quiet solitude. The one significant exception was a Great Fire in 1694, the effects of which still shape the character of this elegant and distinguished town. The devastation was enormous

but the townsfolk acted quickly and adopted a plan to rebuild the beleaguered town. An Act of Parliament set out strict rules for the new buildings – what today we might call a design brief – restricting the height of the buildings and dictating what materials and designs could be used. During last month’s visit by the Coventry Society, members were taken on a brief town trail by James Mackay, chairman of the Warwick Society, who gave us a well

informed but pleasantly informal introduction to this fascinating borough. Threats to Warwick’s historic character surfaced during the post-Second World War period when town planners were keen to modernise, and the Warwick Society was formed in 1951 to oppose unwise development. The Society was not always successful, as shown, for instance, by the demolition of old buildings in Market Street during the 1970s or the construction of a brutalist concrete multi-storey car park and office complex in Barrack Street during the same period. But the work of the Society continues with a remarkably packed agenda - including concern about the future of the old Shire Hall, home of the former Crown Court, which now stands empty, and the planned redevelopment of Northgate Street where a whole street of old houses on the eastern side are currently standing empty. Anyone wishing to explore Warwick more closely is advised to obtain a copy of a leaflet called Warwick Town Trail, produced by the Warwick Society and containing an invaluable guide to the principal buildings of the town. It’s available from the Tourist Information Centre or the town’s museums. John Marshall ►See John’s full report on our website

AT A MEETING with Cllr Kevin Maton, representatives from Coventry Action for Neighbourhoods were told there is no budget available to implement an Article 4 directive that would control numbers of houses in multiple occupancy. However, the Council is considering a ‘pilot project’ that could start in the autumn. This would require the Council to define relevant areas, collect evidence from residents, traders, landlords and housing associations. This might take up to a year, at the end of which the Council would have to decide whether to proceed with an Article 4 direction. An Article 4 regulation requires planning permission for any change of a dwelling from C3 to C4. A C3 house is one in which a single family unit lives. Whereas a C4 is a house in which three to six unrelated people live.

Contacts

Postal address: 77 Craven Street, Coventry CV5 8DT Chairman’s tel: 024 7640 2030 Email: info@coventrysociety.org.uk If Twitter is your thing, you can follow us at https://twitter.com/#!/CovSoc We also have our own page on Facebook. You can also follow us there at http://www.facebook.com/CoventrySociety

Powerpoint: Chris Daniel presenting a series of slides showing the various sections of the river

Rubbish: Committee member Les Fawcett showing off an old tyre that he grappled from the river

Activists: Stuart Daniel (2nd from left) with a member of staff from the Environment Agency and litter pickers from a local school