New details of Coventry city centre regeneration revealed

Detailed plans for a £450 million redevelopment of Coventry city centre have been revealed.

They cover the first of two phases of the Coventry City Centre South regeneration scheme.

Subject to planning permission from Coventry City Council, the project will create 1,500 homes - most of them flats - alongside commercial retail space, a hotel, and cinema.

Regeneration of Coventry city centre moves closer

Phase 1 includes 991 new homes, of which 200 will be affordable, as well as 8,000 sqm of new commercial space, all set within 17,000 sqm of public open space. Phase 2 will provide further commercial space and up to 584 homes.

Urban regeneration specialist SPG has partnered with award-winning housebuilder Hill to deliver the mixed-use development, which received outline planning consent in January 2022.

Work on site is expected to start in Summer 2024, with the first homes delivered by the end of 2026.

Councillor Jim O'Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change said: "This is a really positive step forward. City Centres are changing so this private sector investment will not only breathe new life into the area it will create a thriving, bustling new community that can help to support shops and restaurants and leisure attractions.

"We have seen how our work in the Upper Precinct and in the area around Bull Yard has attracted families back into the city centre – now imagine that on an even bigger scale. This is really exciting regeneration that will also create jobs and training opportunities during construction but afterwards too.

"I'm glad that every new home will have a balcony or terrace space – this proved to be really valuable during COVID – and the developer has worked hard to ensure this will be available to every resident.

"I look forward to work starting on site."

Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive at The Hill Group said: "Submitting the reserved matters application of City Centre South in Coventry represents a significant milestone to revolutionise and transform the city centre.

"We are keen to move ahead with our exciting plans for the first phase of delivery, utilising inspirational architecture, exceptional attention to detail and extensive landscaping to create a vibrant new district in the historic part of the city."

Guy Shearer of Shearer Property Group said: "City Centre South will bring an entirely new, lively quarter to the city centre. Phase 1 will provide a wide range of quality boutiques and shops offering a diverse range of commercial space.

"Restaurants, bars, and the latest social and hospitality leisure occupiers will create an exciting new mix of offers that will complement and enhance the existing retail offer within the market and city centre.

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Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “City Centre South will help completely transform Coventry City Centre, and I’m delighted we could put significant cash on the table to make it happen.

"Not only will this project bring about major regeneration, but it will also provide significant numbers of homes and jobs for the people of Coventry. I’m particularly pleased therefore to see the number of affordable homes coming forward as part of Phase One, something we were insistent on as part of our funding agreement.

“Our near-£100million investment is one of the biggest we’ve ever made as a Combined Authority, showing just how much we believe in this scheme and the city of Coventry.”