Why the people of Coventry support our much-needed urban regeneration design for City Centre South
Shearer Property Regen Ltd. and Chapman Taylor submitted a planning application for our transformative City Centre South urban regeneration masterplan for Coventry in December 2020. City Centre South will upgrade several areas of the historic heart of Coventry, including Bull Yard, Shelton Square, City Arcade and Hertford Street, and will make the city a significant residential, shopping and leisure destination in the West Midlands.
Among its provisions, the greatly improved urban environment will include new residential apartments at the upper levels, new public spaces, new retail units, F&B and leisure and community uses to activate the street level. A curated pavilion building will stand in the heart of a new plaza, which will be fronted by the city’s listed and much-loved indoor market. A new hotel, medical centre and cinema will complete the rounded offer.
Aerial view today and proposed renovation
Our proposals were based on some key principles:
- To deliver a comprehensive, balanced, mixed-use environment
- To create a strong sense of place
- To create a new, authentic quarter, drawing on the traditional city streetscape
- To create a legible pattern of streets and squares
- To enhance the setting of listed buildings
- To take architectural inspiration from Coventry’s proportions and materials palette
- To create a development that will stand the test of time.
Market way today and proposed renovation
Our design for City Centre South remedies the mistakes of the past while respecting the best elements of the area’s heritage and reinstating a permeable street pattern. The plans are inspired by a wish to restore the authentic spirit of Coventry, including the best pre- and post-war architecture, without resorting to pastiche.
The scheme went to public consultation in mid-2020, with the feedback from the people of Coventry to our proposals being overwhelmingly positive.
Bull Yard today and proposed renovation
Comments included:
- “This is an exciting opportunity – let’s build something great!”
- “The sooner this gets started, the better for Coventry.”
- “A place for a future generation to be proud of.”
- “It is what Coventry needs.”
- “It is a shame it will not be completed to showcase the City of Culture.”
- “It is greatly welcome in the city.”
Shelton Square today and proposed renovation
The people who live, work and spend time in Coventry want to see our scheme realised because they know it is urgently needed and they can see that it will be a great improvement in terms of the architecture, the mix of uses and amenities, the spatial arrangements and the re-established connections, giving a much-needed boost to the economy and creating a reason to come to, and dwell in, this part of the city.
To learn more about our much-needed, and much-welcomed, proposals for Coventry City Centre South, please click here for a profile of the project.
