Fresh bid to get go-ahead for new city flats

PLANS for assisted living flats which were refused over their “awkward” design have been re-submitted to Coventry city council.

Aquila Specialist Housing wants to build 14 single-bedroom flats in Upper Stoke for adults with disabilities.

If approved, two apartment blocks and an office pod will be built on deserted scrubland in the residential area of

Wycliffe Road. But a bid to put up the flats was rejected in April due to concerns about one of the buildings.

In the letter of refusal, Coventry’s Strategic Lead of Planning said the block had a “highly contrived and awkward staggered roof arrangement.” “The design fails to respect or contribute positively to the surrounding built environment and character of the area,” the decision notice stated.

Glazed windows to protect neighbours’ privacy were also slammed as “unacceptable” as they would result in “a poor quality residential environment for the future occupiers of these units.”

Back in 2021, plans for 12 assisted living apartments on the site were granted approval by the council.

But Aquila Specialist Housing wanted to revise the original scheme as it was “no longer financially viable.”

Sky-rocketing labour and material costs meant that two more flats were needed, the company said.

They also wanted a more efficient design which got rid of non-essential spaces. Following the rejection in April the flats have been redesigned and new plans were submitted this month.

Pre-application advice stated that the plans are still “set very close to the common boundary.”

“The scheme is more cramped overall and the rear access to first floor units is very inconvenient, but I do not think that it is not something that would warrant refusal,” it added.

A new consultation is now open for public comments until mid-july. If approval is granted, the site will be run by an established care provider in the Midlands with around 5-6 carers onsite at any one time.

The planning application noted that the scheme has the full support of the Joint Commissioning Manager - Mental Health and Dementia, Coventry City Council.

“There is now an emphasis on encouraging individuals to live with greater independence whilst care and assistance are still provided all year round 24/7 in a safe, supportive environment,” it added.