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.
Far Gosford Street was originally separated from Gosford Street by the city wall and Gosford Gate with the River Sherbourne and Springfield Brook running below. Today the two streets are poorly connected and the quality of the built environment between where Gosford Street meets Far Gosford Street leaves something to be desired.
In April 2009 we reported the proposals (see our 'Archive' section – article dated 21st April 2009) when they were at an early stage. Now Complex Development Projects Limited and Coventry City Council have submitted a planning application for a scheme that may just be the answer to these problems. The development partners have unveiled detailed plans to build a hotel and commercial complex on the site of what is now 'Trench's Corner' (Max Buch Electrical and Monsoon Restaurant), underused highway land and surface car parking.
Artists' impressions show a series of buildings in different architectural styles which together make up the scheme. The hotel building is to be a 5 storey structure with large vertical glazed and timber panels. It has a curved frontage facing Gosford Street and a new square designed around the site of the city wall and Gosford Gate.
The adjoining building is said to take inspiration from the Sherbourne Dye Works which once stood near the site. It will house residential and commercial use on ground floor with student accommodation above. Next is a building more traditional in appearance which forms a corner to Far Gosford Street and Lower Ford Street. Interestingly the Trench's Corner portico is to be rebuilt as an access portal to this section of the scheme.
The Coventry Society wholly endorses this scheme and we hope to see work commence in the not too distant future.
