The development company behind the landmark regeneration of Coventry’s city centre, Shearer Property Regen Ltd (SPRL), a partnership between award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group (Hill) and commercial specialist Shearer Property Group (SPG), has obtained planning consent from Coventry City Council, for the first phase of the highly-anticipated City Centre South (CCS) project.
Providing up to 1,550 homes, plans for the first phase of the visionary £450 million transformation of the centre of Coventry include the delivery of 991 new homes, 8,000 square metres of new commercial space, and 17,000 square metres of public open space, to create an exciting new residential, shopping, and leisure destination for the Midlands.
The homes in phase one will range in size from studios to three-bedrooms, accommodating a diverse mix of residents. 200 of the homes will be affordable housing for local people, 145 of which will be made available for social rent and 55 as shared ownership. The remaining 791 homes will be available through private market sale and rent. Most of the affordable allocation will be in the first two buildings being delivered.
Designed and built to high environmental standards, the new homes incorporate energy-efficient construction methods and a range of sustainability features, including photovoltaic solar panels, green roofs, low-energy lighting, water-saving fixtures, and connection to an efficient district heating system to help reduce residents’ energy bills. With quality of living in mind, all homes have private outdoor space in the form of a balcony or terrace, as well as access to communal podium gardens, roof terraces, and landscaped squares.
The homes will be split across a series of four buildings ranging in height from five to 19 storeys, with attractive contemporary architecture inspired by Coventry’s rich history and its existing heritage buildings. A series of public artworks, including to-scale replicas of the History of Coventry murals by artist William Mitchell, will further preserve the city’s cultural heritage.
Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive at The Hill Group comments: “We are delighted to receive approval for the first phase of Coventry City Centre South, a key milestone in the delivery of a vibrant new neighbourhood for this historic area of Coventry. Working with our partner, Shearer Property Group, we will make the vision of high-quality homes in an integrated and attractive community a reality, breathing new life into the city centre and elevating Coventry as a leading location within the West Midlands.”
Guy Shearer of Shearer Property Group said: “This planning consent is the culmination of many years’ work and will now unlock the delivery phase of this highly-anticipated scheme. City Centre South will create a vibrant new quarter for the city with an eclectic mix of the latest shops, bars, and restaurants, an exciting environment for the homes above. Delivering a project of this scale and complexity could not have been possible without the skill, dedication and commitment of our partners, The Hill Group, along with the support and collaboration of the council and WMCA. This consent marks one of the final and most important milestones in making this a live project.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change said: “This is great news and another step in the right direction for the first phase of City Centre South. City Centres are changing and this development will create a new community in the city centre, including much-needed affordable and social homes.
“This investment, led by the private sector will create a thriving, bustling new area with plenty of people living at the heart of it and supporting shops, restaurants and leisure attractions as well as creating jobs for local people.
“I’m really looking forward to work starting.”
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), said: “The go-ahead for the first phase of this exciting scheme is great news for Coventry. It will transform a large but outdated part of the city into a vibrant new district for people to live, work and have fun.
“It’s why the WMCA has agreed to invest more than £100m into the project. It’s also another example of how the WMCA has consistently stepped up in recent years to invest in Coventry’s bright future, contributing £35m for City of Culture, £40m for the new rail station and £50m for the Friargate office development.
“Backing our region’s town and city centres to create new jobs and affordable homes for local people is a top priority for the WMCA and I’m now looking forward to seeing new life breathed back into this part of the city as hundreds of people move into the homes being built, helping to reinvigorate Coventry in the years ahead.”
The wider CCS development, by acclaimed architect firm Allies & Morrison, has been designed to attract a variety of people – including first-time buyers, downsizers and families – back into the city to live, work, play, and socialise. The attractive new quarter will offer a wide range of homes comprising studios, and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.
The development will significantly enhance the retail offering of the city centre, with many flexible options for commercial and retail space available. Its setting alongside Coventry Retail Market, the Grade II listed 1950s covered market, creates a pedestrian-friendly location for shopping and leisure.
Conveniently located within a five-minute walk of Coventry train station, City Centre South forms a major element of the wider masterplan for the regeneration of Coventry, which has already delivered a major upgrade to the railway station.
An archaeological survey, set to commence in March, will seek to identify any archaeological remains, including the position of the historic City Wall in Shelton Square and Bull Yard. Demolition is scheduled to start later this year, with the first homes expected to be completed in early 2027.
