Coventry Society Members David Fry and his fellow member of the Heart of England Postcard Club, Albert Smith, have published the latest book in their series "The Coventry We Have Lost". This book highlights the history of the suburbs of Earlsdon and Chapelfields.   more

A mural not seen by Coventry people for many years has been revealed at St. Mark's Church next to the Swanswell Pool. The mural, which is now recognised as being of international importance, was painted in 1963 by Hans Feibusch . He was a German Jew who had to leave Germany in the 1930s when his paintings were described by Joseph Goebbels as "degenerate". Most of his paintings were destroyed by the Third Reich and Feibusch emigrated to Britain and took up a new life which included converting to Christianity and painting murals in Churches around the country. As far as we know, the one at St. Marks is the only one in the Midlands.   more

Public Meeting - Monday 14th November 2011 at 7.00 p.m. at Old Blue Coat School, Priory Row. [Note Change of Time]. Coventry City Council is proposing to designate the five and a half miles of the Coventry Canal between the city centre Canal Basin and Hawkesbury Junction as a Conservation Area. By designating the Conservation Area Coventry City Council are aiming to preserve and enhance the canal along with the historic buildings, trees, green spaces and wildlife habitats that are present along the route.   more

The Coventry Society has submitted its response to the City Council on the proposed Core Strategy 2011. The Society states: "The Coventry Society is broadly supportive of the intentions and general principles of this draft planning policy document, however we are somewhat disappointed about the lack of detail of proposed policies or actions. By comparison with the previous Core Strategy submission, this document is sadly lacking in content.   more

Home builders Barratt West Midlands and David Wilson Mercia have announced that they intend to develop part of the New Century Park site off Binley Road and Allard Way for residential use. The New Century Park site was formerly owned by the GEC (later Marconi) but was sold several years ago when the factory closed and the industrial buildings were later demolished. The site has since lain vacant and derelict. It is proposed that 381 dwellings be constructed on part of the former GEC site which range from 2 to 5 bedroom properties. There will be an element of affordable housing as well as more exclusive 'aspirational' housing. Extensive landscaping will be provided around the site including the addition of a central park area. Read on for more information and comment.   more

A planning application has been submitted by KEP Developments for the development of the Old Hall site at Tamworth Road in Coundon, Coventry. The scheme, designed by Howl Associates Architects of Kidderminster, combines restoration of the Grade II listed building with contemporary extensions and an innovative ‘subterranean development’. The aim is to provide a 50 bedroom hotel with spa and a range of function room facilities including a large banqueting hall.   more

The deadline for consultation on Coventry's Proposed Core Strategy is approaching fast. Comments need to be made by the end of October 2011. The document sets out the Council's plans for future development and will guide growth in the city up to 2028. This first stage is called the Proposed Core Strategy and it provides a foundation for developing planning policies, asks where new jobs and investment should be focused and how many homes we should plan for as well as looking at how travel connections can be improved.   more

Coventry has lost so many vacant buildings when vandals have got in and set fire or wrecked them. Unfortunately we also have a lot of important heritage buildings that are currently vacant. So it was a great discovery last year to find an organisation called Ad Hoc which provides a very practical way to ensure the survival of Coventry's heritage buildings. The Coventry Society was quick to act, but many months passed before we achieved our first ambition—the protection of the historic Charterhouse building on London Road. We can now announce that in partnership with City College Coventry our committee has achieved a short to mid term means of securing and guarding the vacant site.   more