AN ICONIC site in Coventry city centre could be transformed as part of a £20million housing development.
Warwickshire-based Rainier Developments has drawn up plans to create a private housing scheme on the site of Elliotts Car Accessories on the corner of London Road and Gulson Road.
The site has been home to the automotive business since the 1920s.
The plans would see around 167 private sale apartments – mostly one and two bedroomed – created in two buildings.
These would range from three to 16 storeys designed to create a gateway to the ring road and city centre.
Rainier agreed a purchase last year for the one-acre site which includes the car park at the rear of the current car accessories store.
The company says it has consulted with local residents and other stakeholders on their plans earlier in the year.
Richard Mees, managing director of the Henley-in-Arden based company, said: “This is a key site which, because of its history, is really well known both by city people and those arriving from the south.
“We have drawn up a scheme which we believe is both fitting for the location in that it will create more of a gateway at a key entry point to the city centre and will bring some much-needed private housing to the area.
“We develop across the UK, and are looking at sites in towns and cities that are on the up, where there is demand and where there is economic potential.
“Coventry ticked those boxes and more. The economy is doing well, there are ambitious plans for the city centre and, of course, the image and profile of the city has never been more positive in the wake of the City of Culture decision.”
Mees said that the consultation process had been very positive and had led to some amendments to the plans.
He added: “We have had positive meetings with local people and various stakeholders.
“We listened to their comments and took them on board before submitting.
