A VISION for a £100 million housing development that could regenerate a key part of Coventry city
centre has been displayed at the world’s largest property development show.
Complex Development Projects (CDP) – the company behind Fargo Village, Electric Wharf
and the Telegraph 1950s retro hotel project – unveiled plans for 700 new homes on land off Abbotts Lane.
The regeneration specialist company bought the 5.5 acre site from National Grid a year ago
and says it is working with Coventry City Council on the ambitious proposals, to be
submitted for planning approval in the summer.
CDP is launching the proposals at MIPIM to seek UK and International investor partners to
help deliver the project. It is one of several opportunities being promoted by the
Coventry and Warwickshire MIPIM Partnership made up of more than 20 companies and
organisations who fund the area’s presence at the four-day event.
Ian Harrabin, of CDP – which has offices in Coventry and London – said the development
would not only provide much-needed housing for Coventry residents, but would also
expand the benefits of the city centre out to the surrounding community.
He said: “This is a very large site and provides an opportunity to develop a new district
outside the collar of the ring road. Coventry city centre is really on the up but the ring road
remains a barrier for local community access.
“Most other major city centres in the UK have seen a renaissance led by new urban
communities which have revitalised shops and restaurants and brought in more offices.
“That is the next step for Coventry, where new housing developments for people who can
walk to work will balance the recent surge of new student developments. The continued
improvements by the council to the public realm along with the new swimming pool
complex and retail regeneration are making the city centre a much more attractive place to
live.
“The former industrial site is currently derelict, but perfect for an environmentally
sustainable development which cuts down on car use.
“The Radford Brook runs through the site in a culvert but can be easily opened up as a
landscape feature. The brook could be a direct green link connecting Belgrade Plaza to
Naul’s Mill Park, Bablake School and the Coundon and Radford communities.”
Jim O’Boyle, the council’s cabinet member for jobs and regeneration said:
“This is the largest site that we have designated for housing close to the city centre and the
Council welcomes proposals to bring forward a high quality project. The city needs many
more housing units and I’m also very interested in the wider community benefits of a linear
park improving access to the city centre for local residents. We look forward to working in
partnership to get the project delivered.”
CDP ’s Electric Wharf development on the Coventry canal won an award as the West
Midlands Outstanding Place of the Decade in 2010.
It is currently working on other waterside developments in Stourbridge, Bristol, Smethwick
and Leamington Spa.
Ian Harrabin is also Chairman of Historic Coventry Trust which is working with the Council
and Warwickshire Wildlife on major projects to improve and open up almost 1 mile of the
River Sherbourne from Coventry University through the 70 acre Heritage Park at
Charterhouse as well as plans to open up the river with a new restaurant courtyard in
Palmer Lane.
