Restoration of historic Charterhouse underway

A MAJOR revamp of Coventry’s historic Charterhouse is taking its next steps as restoration work begins.

Contractor Splitlath has now started its £4.1 million work to restore the Grade I listed 14th century Carthusian monastery.

Works will restore the main monastery buildings, including restoring the roofs, structural and building fabric repairs, restoration of 15th and 16th century wall paintings, reconstruction of two monks’ cells, and construction of a new conservatory cafe.

Elsewhere, a new 134space car park is also due to be completed in December, to be followed by a new crossing on London Road to create a ‘trail link’ to the cemetery.

Future phases include upgrading a 70-acre wildlife rich landscape and two miles of riverside and woodland walks known as the Heritage Park.

It is hoped plans will place it firmly on the map ahead of the City of Culture

2021 celebration, where 2.5 million people are expected to visit the city.

Ian Harrabin, chairman of building owners Historic Coventry Trust, said: “The community has been fighting to preserve the Charterhouse and its landscape for decades and the commencement of the restoration is a major milestone for us all.

“Coventry’s Charterhouse is one of only two Carthusian monasteries in the UK with any significant remains and this is the only one with any intact interiors.

“This ancient building is so precious that we have chosen our contractors very carefully.”

A new toucan crossing is being delivered by Coventry council as part of the plans, linking the

Charterhouse with the London Road cemetery.

Works were initially due to be completed in September but have been delayed until next year.

Cabinet member for city services, Cllr Pat Hetherton, added: “As a

consequence we have to look at the speed there.

“It should be about 40mph anyway but it will have to come down.”

Funding for the wider project has been found in grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and charities including Garfield Weston, Wolfson, Foyle and Country House Foundations, Edward Cadbury and Allchurches charitable trusts.

Cabinet member for jobs and regeneration Cllr Jim O’Boyle said: “The building has remained unnoticed by many for generations but now it’s to become an eyecatching venue that can be enjoyed by local people and the city’s growing visitors.”