Old garages to become houses
GO-AHEAD FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES PLAN DESPITE PETITION OBJECTING
AFFORDABLE homes for families in Coventry have been approved despite objections from locals – and more could be on the way.
Two semi-detached houses with three bedrooms and one parking space each will be built on a patch of empty land on Forester’s Road in Cheylesmore, after the plans received full backing from councillors.
The scheme is part of a project by housing association Citizen to redevelop at least eight former garage sites in the city with affordable homes.
But nine residents signed a petition raising concerns about the plans, resulting in the scheme being decided by councillors at a meeting on Thursday (May 25).
Several locals objected to the homes’ “unattractive” designs and “looming presence,” the impact on parking and traffic, and raised concerns about a loss of light and privacy.
Representing them at the meeting, Cheylesmore Cllr Roger Bailey (Con) told councillors: “The development will encroach on the lives of local residents. It’s a cul-de-sac with only one entrance and one exit.”
He added: “There is a need for more houses but there’s a lot of issues being raised, besides the increase in traffic.”
Other concerns included the homes’ height, the loss of green space and the effect of construction on others living on the road.
A neighbour of the site dubbed the homes “imposing” and said it would change the feel of the area.
“It will change the dynamics of the area and a new thoroughfare will bring its own problems. The houses themselves will be imposing and overlooking gardens,” they said.
But a statement from the planning agent described the homes as “muchneeded” and revealed the development is part of a wider project in the city.
“Citizen Housing have identified a number of garage sites across the city that have the potential to be redeveloped for affordable housing. This site on Forester’s Road is one of these such sites,” they said.
The vacant land currently attracts anti-social behaviour, according to a review, and it is claimed development will benefit the community.
“We believe this is also an essential part of our commitment to help address the housing shortage in Coventry and help mitigate the significant cost the council bears for temporary accommodation for families living in sustainable accommodation,” the agent added.
“We are currently building on eight former garage sites in other locations in this city to this standard and have ambitions to redevelop further sites with a multi-million pound investment in housing for the people of Coventry.”
A Coventry City Council planning officer also addressed points from residents on green space, height, parking and construction.
The plans were unanimously approved by councillors on the planning committee. To view the plans, the planning reference for the scheme is PL/2023/0000196/FUL