Community News - February/March 23
Community News From Around Our Area
New Development Will Transform Coventry, Says West Midlands Mayor Andy Street
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says Coventry people can look forward to work beginning on a project which will transform the city centre.
The City Centre South regeneration plan covers an area including Hertford Street, Market Way, City Arcade and Bull Yard and will create a vibrant new central quarter for Coventry, delivering new homes, retail units, hospitality, leisure facilities and new outdoor public space for people to relax, meet friends and where children can play.
Mr Street heads the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has backed the scheme to the tune of £98.7 million. Now he hopes residents can expect to see work begin on the project this year.
He said, “This is yet another example of the WMCA stepping up to invest in Coventry’s bright future. We’ve already contributed £35m for City of Culture, £40m towards the redevelopment of the rail station, and tens of millions into schemes like Friargate – all of which help to drive Coventry’s revival and support its growing reputation as a cultural and economic hub.
“Backing our region’s town and city centres in order to create new jobs and affordable homes for local people is a top priority for us. We continue to fund schemes that breathe new life into our high streets - regenerating brownfield sites, repurposing existing land and buildings, and bringing empty shops and offices back into use.
“With major redevelopment schemes like City Centre South coming to fruition, Coventry has a bright future ahead.”
The project will include up to 1,500 new homes, with 20% affordable housing including social rented homes.
The new homes would be a range of sizes all with access to balconies, communal courtyards and other amenity space. Alongside much needed homes, the regeneration will also focus on green corridors, including green spaces in an enhanced public realm, new tree planting and new routes through the site connecting it to Coventry Market, the station and the rest of the city centre.