Member Article

Work starts on site of major project

Work has started to demolish a redundant Coventry landmark – and pave way for the planned £73 million regeneration of a key site in the city.

Coventry University and Barberry Developments are planning to transform the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office in Bishop Street.

They are due to submit plans before the end of the year to create high quality student accommodation buildings, courtyards and gardens on the site which will have an impressive frontage onto Bishop Street and Tower Street, including retail units which will be open to the public.

The first phase of the development is the demolition of the former sorting office which is set to be completed by February 2016.

Coventry University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor David Soutter was joined by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry Lindsley Harvard as work to bring down the empty building started.

David said: “We have been in discussions with planners and in consultation with local people and stakeholders about our vision for this site and will be bringing forward a planning application in due course.

“It is well documented that this site has been empty for the last four or five years, but we believe our plans will see a total transformation which will bring not only a vastly improved environment but also some much-needed vitality and activity.

“We want to provide a range of high-quality accommodation for around 1,200 of our students and to create courtyards and gardens. We want the area to be a fully-integrated part of the city centre so we will be including some convenience-style retail which will be available to everyone.

“The student facilities will include a staffed reception, open multi-use areas, study areas, seminar rooms, a gym and laundry room.”

Barberry Developments, which has owned the site since 2011, will be overseeing demolition and clearance work – undertaken by DSM – and the construction of the development, which the University hopes will be completed in time for the new 2018/19 academic year.

Cllr Harvard , Deputy Lord Mayor said: “said: “This is a key site in the city centre which is highly visible. We are confident that the university will be proposing a scheme which not only befits this landmark location, but also brings some much needed regeneration.

“Not only will the area look and feel far more vibrant, it will also act as a link through to the Canal Basin which has become slightly isolated while this site has remained vacant.”

Work has started to demolish a redundant Coventry landmark – and pave way for the planned £73 million regeneration of a key site in the city.

Coventry University and Barberry Developments are planning to transform the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office in Bishop Street.

They are due to submit plans before the end of the year to create high quality student accommodation buildings, courtyards and gardens on the site which will have an impressive frontage onto Bishop Street and Tower Street, including retail units which will be open to the public.

The first phase of the development is the demolition of the former sorting office which is set to be completed by February 2016.

Coventry University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor David Soutter was joined by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry Lindsley Harvard as work to bring down the empty building started.

David said: “We have been in discussions with planners and in consultation with local people and stakeholders about our vision for this site and will be bringing forward a planning application in due course.

“It is well documented that this site has been empty for the last four or five years, but we believe our plans will see a total transformation which will bring not only a vastly improved environment but also some much-needed vitality and activity.

“We want to provide a range of high-quality accommodation for around 1,200 of our students and to create courtyards and gardens. We want the area to be a fully-integrated part of the city centre so we will be including some convenience-style retail which will be available to everyone.

“The student facilities will include a staffed reception, open multi-use areas, study areas, seminar rooms, a gym and laundry room.”

Barberry Developments, which has owned the site since 2011, will be overseeing demolition and clearance work – undertaken by DSM – and the construction of the development, which the University hopes will be completed in time for the new 2018/19 academic year.

Cllr Harvard , Deputy Lord Mayor said: “said: “This is a key site in the city centre which is highly visible. We are confident that the university will be proposing a scheme which not only befits this landmark location, but also brings some much needed regeneration.

“Not only will the area look and feel far more vibrant, it will also act as a link through to the Canal Basin which has become slightly isolated while this site has remained vacant.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .