Early 20th-century buildings in Coventry could soon be repurposed as part of a plan to construct flats adjacent to a social club. It follows concerns raised by locals and urban designers about the potential loss of an Edwardian farmhouse at 401 London Road.
Developers were granted permission in 2021 to demolish the home and other old structures on the site. They proposed a design that would transform the area into a four-storey block of 24 flats with a car park, although they noted that other designs were possible and work would continue.
The council acknowledged at the time that since the historic house was not officially listed, its demolition "cannot be resisted."
However, detailed plans now reveal that the site's "Seven Stars" farmhouse and old granary will not be demolished but converted into three apartments. Planning documents acknowledge the concerns about losing the buildings and state that the design preserving them was developed "on reflection."
A statement adds that the scheme aims to retain "buildings of character which are long established in the street scene[.]" Developers also plan to construct two two-storey blocks of flats on the land, providing 11 one-bedroom homes targeted at "young professionals" given the site's proximity to Jaguar's Whitley plant and the airport, reports .
The finalised "reserved matters" plan for a development in Binley, located by the Folly Lane Members Club, is poised for appraisal by the council's planning committee on Thursday, 7 November. Councillors have called for an assessment, and officers are suggesting approval.
Nevertheless, a report prepared for the upcoming meeting has disclosed an objection from neighbouring developers Morris Homes and Homes England, who are concerned about both land ownership issues and the designs of the homes related to their Whitley Pumping Station project. Despite these concerns, local authority officers are describing the revisions to the proposed development as "positive" and consider land ownership to be a "private matter" to be resolved among the involved parties.
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