WORK HAS been approved to renovate and restore 19th century summer houses on a Coventry allotment.
Stoney Road Allotments in Cheylesmore has three summerhouses – originally named urban pleasure gardens – are damaged beyond repair.
Historic England have approved a grant to fund the restoration of the houses due to its significance.
The site is Grade II* listed and contains the last remaining plots of the Park Gardens which were established 200 years ago.
It is also one of only four remaining detached Victorian town gardens listed on Historic England’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
The site is actively used as allotments and sub-tenanted by the Stoney Road Gardens Association (SRGA).
Work on the site started on October 2 and will cost £235k from grant money and a further £20k from the council.
Coun Abdul Salam Khan, deputy leader of Coventry City Council, said: “We have been working with the support of Historic England and we know the value of restoring these wonderful summerhouses.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the buildings will look, once the restoration work is complete.”
The summerhouses include chimneys, fireplaces and internal panelling, showing that some of the plotholders lived in these houses during part of the year.
Louise Brennan, regional director at Historic England, added: “We are really pleased to be able to fund the refurbishment of the summerhouses in partnership with Coventry City Council, and I can’t wait to see them brought back into use for the benefit of the local community.”
