£50m Coventry plans get go-ahead
Proposals for the £50m regeneration of Coventry city centre have been given the green light. Hundreds of jobs are set to be created in the city after plans for the former Royal Mail Sorting Centre were approved by Coventry City Council.
Barberry Developments purchased the 200,000 sq ft site and adjoining properties, including 50 Bishop Street, last year. The company then submitted an application seeking planning permission for a large retail-led scheme on the site.
The development, which will be known as Bishop Gate, will be anchored by a supermarket of up to 130,000 sq ft including a mezzanine level.
It will also comprise 585 car parking spaces across three levels; a gym/leisure facility with swimming pool in 20,000 sq ft unit; landscaping including trees, high quality street furniture and paving and a pedestrian crossing link to the canal basin, replacing the existing footbridge.
Henry Bellfield, director of Worcestershire-based Barberry Developments, said: "We are grateful for the support of the planning committee and that they share our vision of transforming this part of Coventry city centre with the Bishop Gate development.
"Following the closure of the Royal Mail Sorting Office this part of the city centre is in desperate need of new investment and redevelopment. We are pleased that we can now press ahead with our proposals which are very exciting and will create hundreds of jobs for local people."
Councillor Linda Bigham, Coventry City Council's cabinet member for city development, said: "This is great news for Coventry and it shows the belief that there is out there in our city. It will transform a tired area of the city centre and create local jobs for local people – so it really is good news all around."
Work is planned to commence later this year.
