Hot on the heels of the planning application for the new hotel and commercial development at one end of Far Gosford Street comes another application to restore the Victorian ‘Topshops’ at numbers 67-72 at the other end of the street. But the plans go beyond restoration. A further application has been submitted to build a new complex at the rear of the Topshops site and fronting Sky Blue Way. Read on for more details   more

Few will be unaware of the transformation that is taking place along Coventry’s historic Far Gosford Street. Timber framed buildings at numbers 121-124 have been restored along with the former Hand & Heart pub. Other medieval timber framed buildings at numbers 38-40 are being restored now. A new office building is being constructed on part of the public car park where the SCALA cinema used to be. But as the hoardings now erected at both ends of Far Gosford Street, the transformation has only just begun. Several planning applications have recently been submitted to bring more exciting changes to Far Gosford Street, including the construction of a hotel, residential and commercial complex near the site of the old city gate. Read on for more details.   more

Whilst other heritage buildings in Coventry currently lie derelict, underused or have simply vanished, it is pleasing to see that elsewhere in the city centre our heritage assets are being preserved and actively restored. Numbers 38-41 Far Gosford Street are now surrounded by scaffolding and have temporary roof coverings which signal the start of restoration works. Numbers 38-40 are Grade II listed buildings and are believed to be 16th century in origin, still containing much of their original timber framing. Number 41 was demolished in part some years ago owing to health and safety concerns although it is understood that this will now be rebuilt. Read on for more details.   more

In March this year we wrote to Severn Trent to formally voice our concerns over the future of the former Greyhound Public House in Much Park Street, a locally listed building of 19th century or possibly late 18th century origin. We were supported by the national campaigning group, SAVE Britain’s Heritage, and the Victorian Society. A meeting was scheduled with Severn Trent to discuss the developer’s plans for the building, although this meeting was subsequently cancelled by Severn Trent at short notice. Not long afterwards bulldozers moved on site and began demolition on the modern single storey extension to the Greyhound as well as the toilet block to the rear. Read on for more details   more

Saturday 17th April saw the launch of a new national organisation for civic societies, Civic Voice. The Coventry Society was represented by newly elected Civic Voice Trustee, David Tittle. The Coventry Society was the first of 150 societies who have so far joined Civic Voice in its first 61 days. Many of those were represented among the 170 people who came together at the Building Centre in London.   more

After months of standing derelict following damage by fire in summer 2009, the former Toy Museum (the Gatehouse to Whitefriars Monastery) is set for restoration. Martin Yardley, Director of City Services & Development at Coventry City Council, has applied for Listed Building Consent to reinstate elements of the North Range of the building which were damaged by the fire in 2009. Acanthus Clews Architects of Banbury have been appointed for the scheme whose expertise in restoration of historic buildings has already been seen around the city. Projects already completed include repair works to Coventry Cathedral and the restoration of the Non Conformist Chapel at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.   more

The Coventry Society is pleased to learn that planning permission has been granted for the proposed conversion of the Rose & Woodbine Public House into a modern medical centre. The application was submitted in October 2009 and was granted on 25th March 2010. We commented on the application in our article in November 2009 (please see the ‘News Archive’ section of our website). The image shown is an early sketch by the architect, Alan C Riley Associates, along the theme of ‘facadism’ whereby the important elevations of the Rose & Woodbine would be retained whilst other parts of the building are wholly remodelled and rebuilt.   more

As the new striking Severn Trent Operations Centre nears completion on the site between Much Park Street, St John’s Street and the Ring Road the Coventry Society asks, what is to become of Much Park Street and the former Greyhound Pub? When Severn Trent’s plans were unveiled it was proposed that the development consist of two phases: Phase I being the 7 storey modern building that is now rapidly taking shape; and Phase II being a development of 2-3 storey buildings fronting Much Park Street. This latter phase was designed to complement the historic buildings which front Much Park Street including the statutorily listed Gatehouse to Whitefriars Monastery/Toy Museum (Grade II*), the neighbouring medieval ruin (Grade II) and the locally listed Greyhound Pub. Read on for more information.   more