SITES which could be used to meet the city’s housing requirements over the next two decades have been revealed.
Around 16,000 homes will be built on previously developed land within the city but up to 20,000 have been allocated for Greenbelt sites.
Residents are now being asked to give their views on the proposals during a seven week consultation.
The list of sites – available to view on the council’s website – has been drawn up as part of Coventry City Council’s draft Local Plan, which was given the green light by councillors earlier this month.
But the document is unlikely to be formally adopted as policy until May 2016 meaning the sites listed give only an indication of where new homes could be built.
Proving most controversial are the proposals to eat-up around ten percent of the city’s countryside, much of which is located in northern and western areas including Hawkes End and Keresley.
The largest single development could see up to 1069 homes behind Upper Eastern Green Lane in the west of the city. A further 705-891 have been earmarked for the adjacent fields running up to the A45.
Other large allocations include 800 homes between Tamworth Road and Bennetts Road South and up to 518 homes off Bennetts Road North near Keresley.
Labour councillor David Galliers, who represents the Bablake ward, is backing the proposed plan and warned delay could leave the city vulnerable.
Speaking to the Observer, he said: “If we don’t get an agreed Local Plan the Planning Inspector can step-in and that would mean we would have very little control over developers building wherever they wanted.”
And council chiefs say building thousands of new homes will ensure a sustained economic recovery.
Coun Kevin Maton, cabinet member responsible for Business, Enterprise and Employment, said: “I think everyone in Coventry would agree with our aspiration to be a top ten city again. We all should be in support of growth that brings more jobs and prosperity to Coventry and gives our young people a much brighter future.
“But if we’re serious about economic prosperity returning to Coventry we need more homes across the city, particularly bigger family homes. Over the next seven weeks we will be talking to as many people as possible and making it as easy as possible for people to have their say.”
Visit www.coventry.gov.uk/localplan to view the full list of sites and respond to the proposals.
Kerseley parish councillors Walter Milner, Allan Owens, Jim Passmore and Sandra Camwell on the proposed develpment site in Keresley. Picture by Jon Mullis 41.013.033.cov.jm1 (www.buyphotos247.com)
