Coventry City Centre Area Action Plan Submission

Town and Country Planning Regulations 2012

Regulation 22c Consultation Statement

March 2016

(i) List of bodies and persons invited to make representations under regulation 18

The Preferred Approach, February 2015 Appendix 1 of this submission statement contains a list of specific bodies and statutory organisations consulted. Public consultation was extensive and was undertaken through a variety of methods with various bodies, , including Parish Councils, neighbouring authorities, community and voluntary organisations and the business community based on the Councils SCI database.

A full list of the organisations invited to make representations is in Appendix 1 below. In addition, 446 individuals who were registered on the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) consultation database were consulted,.

(ii) How those bodies and person were invited to make representations under regulation 18

The Preferred Approach stage of the plan preparation process commenced by way of a 6 week period of consultation between February 27th and April 17th 2015. Notification was sent via email and/or letter to all consultees on the Councils SCI database. Consultees had the opportunity to make representations by email, post or online. The Council complied with the methods of communication as set out in its SCI, which included a press advert; press notice; exhibitions and drop in sessions and public and organisation specific meetings.

(iii) Summary of the main issues raised by the representations made in pursuant to regulation 18

Appendix 3 contains a full analysis of the responses received but by way of summary, the main issues were:

 The vast majority of people agreed with the majority of the proposals and agree that something needs to be done to improve the retail and leisure offer. Common themes were better shops, better public realm and better access to public transport.  People also appear to support more homes in the city centre, although concerns were raised that they will only be for students.  Some responses that request better access to shop mobility services, especially once the city centre south scheme comes online  The Burges in particular is highlighted as being in a poor state  The importance of completing Belgrade Plaza was highlighted on a number of occasions.  Policies could be more proactive on tourism and improving the links between the key assets.  A range of comments objecting to the removal of the canal basin bridge and any proposals that would put pedestrian crossings on the Ring Road.  Support for removing Nationwide building from Broadgate to improve the links through to Hertford Street, for removing point to open up Market Way and for removing the escalators and ramp from Upper Precinct. The proposed removal of the fountain receives mixed reviews.  A number of responses suggested the city centre is not suited to older people and does not encourage them into the centre to shop. Issues such as: bus stops, road works, poor quality shops and an excessive focus on students and young people were all identified.  People didn’t like the name Quarters – likely to change to areas.  Distinct lack of transport related policy and consideration, including cycling and public transport.  Pool Meadow seen as an underutilised resource – either it’s too big for what it’s now used for and should be reduced in size or removed or it should be used more.  Linked to the above and the proposals at Friargate/station masterplan – there is a need to sort out a sensible plan for dealing with coach drop off, pick up and stopping.  Coventry University is largely in support – wants bespoke policy in the plan. Don’t object to the demolition of Priory Halls, but do want the University quarter extended to include the swimming pool and the uses around Lower Ford Street – make no request to include the civic quarter within the university quarter.  People liked the idea of improved parking facilities and support high quality multi-storeys – people tend to like the quality of parking at Belgrade Plaza. There seemed to be general support for a new high quality offer to support the Cathedral and Transport Museum and the night time economy (including the revamped Cathedral Lanes).  General support for public realm improvements although comments did suggest a desire for more green infrastructure.  There are generally mixed views about deculverting the Sherbourne, but the wider principle of making more of water infrastructure to help improve the built environment is supported.  People recognise the importance of design. There was a strong message that we need to strive for better quality and better designed buildings and improve the setting of our listed buildings and conservation areas.  The Environment Agency has queried the assessment of flood risk across the city centre and again identified the need for us to update our evidence base.  Gala Casino is broadly supportive of the plan, but would object to any proposals to move it from its existing site. The company has 24 years left on the lease and invested more than £200k last year in refurbishment.  A private developer requested an extension of the city centre boundary to include Charterhouse river link and a greater emphasis on reinstating some of the historic feel of the city.  A number of responses also supported the relocation of the National Express Garage.  There is wide ranging support for removing the slip roads at Junction 2 of the Ring Road to improve links to Swanswell Pool and create new developable land.  Need to try to do more to make the university campus more inviting to non- students, especially outside term time – Warwick Arts Centre is quoted as an example of how Warwick University undertakes its responsibilities.  One response raised a soundness objection to restricting further hot food takeaways on Spon Street and Far Gosford Street.  General support has been received from the LEP, Severn Trent and West Orchards with a few proposed tweaks – nothing major  Spen Hill raised an objection to the Primary shopping area policies, in particular the allocation of retail floor space. They are concerned it will prevent any further floor space being allowed at Cannon Park and Arena Park (both Tesco sites).  The Police and Crime Commissioner requested that greater emphasis be placed on making the city centre safer and more secure. It suggests that references be made to guidance on designing out crime and secure parking standards. Its comments mainly relate to parking and built environment policies, although it also highlighted significant crime related to materials used in listed buildings.

In addition to the feedback set out above, the final week of the official engagement process resulted in numerous representations being made by the following groups:

 professional planning consultants including: Quod Planning, CgMs, Spenhill, and Planware.  National Professional Associations and quango’s including: The House Builders Federation, English Heritage, The Environment Agency, Natural and the Woodland Trust and Highways England.  Local organisations and representatives including, the Integrated Transport Authority, The Coventry Society, Ian Harrabin Construction, C&W LEP.

By way of general summary, the professional planning consultants wished to see development opportunities expanded across the city centre area and not restricted to specific uses or areas. Responses received from Professional Associations, quango’s and local organisations tended to focus on their own respective specialist areas including transport policy, biodiversity and ecology, flood risk, housing need and conservation and heritage policy.

Local organisations primarily focused on the relationship Coventry has with and the impact development in Coventry may have on these neighbouring areas, and the layout, design and heritage of the city centre and its developments. A challenge was made to policy that restricts the growth of Hot Food Takeaways in Far Gosford Street and Spon Street. On balance it is considered that whilst there is a need to ensure the locations are vibrant and economically active it is also necessary to ensure the historic character of the areas is maintained.

(iv) How representations made pursuant to regulation 18 have been taken in to account

The Council has summarised the representations received and has provided a response to the points raised in the representations at each stage of consultation during the preparation of the Plan. These summaries and responses have been published in the reports of public consultation. This process has enabled the Council to carefully assess and take account of every point raised. This in turn ensures that each consultation has informed the next iteration of the Plan. These reports of Public Consultation are provided in Appendix 2 and 3 to this Statement.

v) Regulation 20 Representations - the number of representations made and summary of main issues raised.

Publication Draft, January 2016

Survey Monkey: The Survey Monkey questionnaire contained 4 questions. These focused on the general views of the Local Plan as well as direct questions about the level of information available and views on the overarching objective of being a Top 10 City again. A total of 697 people completed the Survey Monkey process, although not everyone answered every question. Due to the inappropriate nature of some responses a number were deleted by officers; this affected 16 in relation to the Local Plan. Of the responses received to the Local Plan, 483 were received and the table below highlights the number of responses received to each question.

Table 2: Survey Monkey Results

Question Answered Skipped Support Object Not sure Do you think 692 5 204 379 109 Coventry should grow so it can be a top ten city? What do you 379 321 - - - think of the Area Action Plan?*

Do you think 504 193 83 353 68 you have you had enough information and opportunities to tell us what you think about the Area Action Plan

A total of 15 responses were received, with 12 being from organisations and companies whilst the other 3 were from local residents. The responses received via Survey Monkey appear to have all originated from local residents and communities. A total of 379 responses were received to the AAP from local residents. These mirrored the discussions at the public meetings and drop-in sessions, and focused on the following points:  Coventry University is too dominant within the city centre;  There is too much student residential development – there should be more homes built for non-students;  Support was expressed for the possibility of exposing part of the River Sherbourne;  Many responses included a general support for regenerating the city centre and recognised the need to improve its retail and leisure offer;  There was general support for the continuation of the recent public realm initiatives;  There was support for maximising the historic environment and improving awareness and access to it;  Responses highlighted a need to improve the city centre parking offer and overall accessibility into the city centre;  The regeneration of Cathedral Lanes was supported alongside a desire to see further improvements to the night time economy; and  There was a desire to see more trees and green spaces within the city centre to help improve the natural environment.

Summary of formal responses:

A total of 12 responses were received from developers and organisations, of which 2 were Duty to cooperate related. The remaining 10 were largely supportive, although The Woodland Trust has requested strengthening of policies around the natural environment. A further representation raised concerns about the ability of the city centre to deliver as much retail floor space as has been allocated and how this relates to the evidence base. This reflects a similar objection to the retail section of the Local Plan.

The Environment Agency has suggested, although the Plan approach to deculverting is supported. Historic England also raised similar comments in relation to the historic environment in the city centre. In addition the city’s neighbouring authorities have also expressed general support for the Area Action Plan and regeneration of the city centre.

Other concerns raised included:  City centre car parking – it was felt by some that the quality of car parking in the city centre needed to be improved and that ideally the costs of it should reduce to make it more competitive with out of town shopping parks and other towns and cities.  Student orientation – It was felt by most that the city centre had become focused solely on students and the university. There were concerns that any development taking place in the city centre was solely university focused and that it was driving the city’s wider population out to other locations such as Solihull and Leamington.

Appendix 1 Organisations invited to make representations at various stages of the plan

Accord Housing Association ACT TRAVELWISE Action for Rural Allesley Addleshaw Booth & Co Age Concern Coventry AJA architects llp Alan Riley Associates Albany Community Group Allesley and Coundon Wedge Conservation Society Allesley and Eastern Green Residents Association Allesley Parish Council Allesley Residents Association Amberscope AMEC Ancer Spa (Midlands) Ltd Andrew B Grudzinski Andrew Hiorns Ltd Anglian Home Improvements Anjum-e-Gujarati-Muslim Society Ansty Parish Council APB Designs Ltd Applestone Homes AR Testot Arlington Dent Services Armstrong Burton Planning Arts Council West Midlands ASDA Ashram Housing ASRA Midland Housing Association Ltd Association of Black Country Authorities Avenue Bowling Club Aztec Design Limited Baginton Parish Council Baker Associates Barberry Coventry Ltd Barton Wilmore LLP Barwood Land and Estates Ltd. Beechwood & Westwood Gardens Residents Association Beechwood LTC Beechwood Tree Services Belgrave Residents Association Bellway Estates Berkswell Parish Council Bidwells Binley Woods Parish Council Birmingham and Midland Institute (MADE) Birmingham International Airport Bishopgate Residents Association Bloor Homes Ltd Blue Mark Developments Brandon and Bretford Parish Council BREEAM Centre BRE British Geological Survey British Waterways, West Midlands office Brook Street Tenants Association Brooke Smith Planning Brooklands Residents Association Brooks Street Tenents Association BT Group PLC Building Consultancy Service Building Design Services Building Plan Services Burnett Planning and development ltd Burton Green Residents Association Callingham Architects Campaign to Protect Rural England (West Midlands Region) CAMRA Canal Basin Community Group Canal Basin Trust Cannon Park Community Association Capita Symonds formerly Andrew Martin Associates CBRE CCG CDR Architects Central Networks Centro CgMs Consulting Chapelfields Area Residents & Traders Association Chartered Surveyor Charterhouse Residents Group City College Civil Aviation Authority Clerk to Fillongley Parish Council Clifford Bridge Community Association Colliers CRE Colliers CRE Colliers International Combe Fields Parish Council Community Based Economic Development Concept Planning Coombe Field Parish Council Corley Parish Council Corstorphine & Wright Country Landowners Association Coventrians RFC Coventry & North Warks CC Coventry & Warwickshire Accessible Transport Committee Coventry Airport Coventry and District Rifle and Pistol Asociation Coventry Bangladesh Centre Coventry Canal Society Coventry Cathedral Coventry Community Empowerment Network (CEN) Steering Group Coventry Community Transport Coventry Cruising Club Coventry Earth Spirit Coventry First Coventry Godiva Harriers Coventry Haven Coventry Health Group Coventry Ki Society Coventry Music Theatre Consortium Coventry Neighbourhood Watch Coventry Old peoples Forum Coventry Older Peoples Forum Coventry Older Voices Coventry Partnership Coventry RFC Coventry Safety Action Group Coventry Society Coventry Society For The Blind Coventry Technical RFC Coventry University Coventry Youth Service Democracy Project Coventry,Solihull & Warwickshire Partnership CPRE Warwickshire Cromwell and Duggins Lane Residents Association Cross & Craig Associates Architects Cushman & Wakefield CV One Ltd D & P Holt Ltd D2 Planning Dalia & Nathaniel Lichfield Associated Darnton Elgee Architects Daventry Road Buildings Traders Association David Lock Associates David Robotham Limited David Wilson Estates David Wilson Partnership Day Lewis Planning Limited Day Lewis Planning Limited Decathlon Deeley Properties Homes Ltd Define Planning Delta Planning Department for Transport Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group DESC Agency Design 2 Detail Ltd Dev Plan Ltd Development Department Coventry Healthcare NHS Trust DfT Rail, Director of Planning Prospects Ltd Director of Public Health, NHS Warwickshire and Warwickshire County Council DNT Technology DPG East Midlands Drivers Jonas DTZ DTZ Debenham Thorpe DTZ Pieda Consulting DW Plan Services E on Energy Earlsdon Community Forum Earlsdon Conservation & Development Earlsdon RFC Earlsdon Street Traders Association Easyplan ECHO (Earlsdon Chapefields Hearsall Opinion) Community Newspaper Edge and Ellison Edgwick Residents Edmund Kirby EE Elmwood Court (Coventry) Residents Association Entec UK Ltd Environment Agency Eon Estates Business Agency Faulkner House Residents FFT Planning, Friends, Families and Travellers and Traveller Law Reform Project Community Base Finham Ratepayers Association Finham Residents Assoc First City Ltd Firstplan Ltd Fisher German Forestry Commission Formerly Browns Lane Residents Association Framptons Frank Price Architectural Free Action Group Friends of Canley Ford Friends of Lake View Park Friends Of Whoberley Hall FTA - Midlands, West & Wales Fusion Online Fusion Online Ltd Gallagher UK Gallagher Uk Ltd Gazey Properties GB Gittins Gerald Eve LLP GL Hearn Gosford Asian Group Gosford Park Residents Association Greater Warwickshire Sport Partnership Green Lane Residents Association Gregory Gray Associates Groundwork West Midlands Guru Nanak Prakash Sikh Temple GVA GVA Grimley Gypsy Council Hadland Young Hancock Town Planning Harris Lamb Property Consultancy Hawkesbury Residents' Association HB Architects Head of Planning and Construction, DE Operations North Henley College Highway Sports and Social Club Highways Agency Hillfields 12 Tenants Association Hilltop Ladies Bridge Club Historic England Holt Property Home Builders Federation Howkins & Harrison Hurst Road Residents Association Hutchison 3G UK Ltd Iceni Projects IM Properties PLC Internal Waterways Association Jacobs Babtie Jaguar Land Rover James O'Flanagan Ltd James O'Flanagan Ltd JMW Planning Solutions Ltdl Job Centre Plus John Tofts Residents Association JOHNSON BROS COVENTRY LTD Jones Day Jones Lang LaSalle Jones Lang LaSalle Jones Lang LaSalle JTS Partnership JW Wroe KB Benfield & Co (Midlands) Ltd KB Design Services Kenilworth Town Council Keresley Newland Library Keresley Parish Church Keresley Parish Council Kingswood Homes Kirkwells - town planning and sustainable development consultants Knight Frank LLP Knight Frank LLP Lambert Smith Hampton Lambert Smith Hampton Landmark Information Group Ltd LIBRARY SUPPLY INTERNATIONAL LTD LM Uzzell Designs (Kenilworth) Ltd Longford CAN Loveitts Estate Agents Malcolm Scott Associates Marrons: Hallam Land Management and (prev Stoneleigh Planning) Martin Bramwich Associates Martin Robeson Planning Practice Martin Robeson Planning Practice Masefields McCarthy and Stone Meadow House Residents Group Meriden Parish Council Mewies Engineering Mewies Engineering Consultants Michael Partridge Partnership Michael Ramus Architects Ltd Midland Heart Midland Heart Mike de Courcey Travel limited Mobile Operators Association Montagu Evans LLP Moors BDC Morris Homes Mount Nod Residents Association MVM Planning Nailcote and Conway Residents Association Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners National Air Traffic Service National Farmers Union - West Midlands Region National Grid Land and and Business Support National Grid plc National Playing Fields Association Natural England Nehemiah Housing Association Neighbourhood Management North West Network Rail New Deal For Communities New St Brays Residents Association NHS England North Warwickshire Borough Council Norton Hill Residents Association & Bedworth Borough Council O2 UK LTD Old Coventrians RFC Old Spon Street Community Association Older People's Information Network (OPIN) Orbit Housing Association Pailton Parish Council Paul Bryan Housing Grants PCPT Architects Limited PD Simons and Co Ltd Peacock and Smith Pegasus Planning Group Persimmon Homes Central Peter Denny Architectural Design Consultants Peugeot Citroen PJ Planning Plan Tech Pridmore Residents Pridmore residents Association Primrose Park Estate Resident's Association PRO Vision Planning & Design PVC Group R John Craddock Associates Radford & District Business Association Radford Community Association Radford Diamond Community Centre Ramblers' Association Rapleys Town Planning Consultancy Ray Pinder Design RCA Regeneration RCA Regeneration Ltd. RCI Design Redrow Homes (Midlands) Ltd rg+p Ltd Rivermead Residents Association Robert Payne RPS Planning & Development RSL Planning Consortium RSPB Rugby Borough Council Ryton on Dunsmore Parish Council Sarah Coulthard Savills Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Co Ltd Serck Controls Severn Trent Water Seymour Harris SGP SH Arch Reynolds SH Architectural Services Ltd Shilton Parish council Shortland Horne Singer Residents Group Skelly & Couch Smith Stuart Reynolds Smiths Gore (acts for The Queens College Oxford who have a landholding at Keresley formerly represented by Cluttons) Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Southfields Community Action Group Sowe Waste residents Association Spawforths Spon End and Chapelfields Community Forum Spon End Forum Spon End Residents Association Sport England West Midlands SSA Planning Ltd St Benedict's Stay Late Club St Pauls Residents Association STAG (Stonehouse Tenant Action Group) Standard Triumph Sports Club Starley House Co-Operative Starley Road Housing Co-operative Stephens and Scown Stewart Ross Associates Stoford Developments Stoke Aldermoor Residents Association Stoke Old Boys RFC Stoke Park Residents Group Stonehouse Chartered Surveyors Stoneleigh Parish Council Stratford on Avon District Council Stratus Environmental Limited Styvechale and District Residents Association Sustrans Sutton Stop Residents Association Terrano Land & Development Terry O'Neill ARIBA Tesco Stores Ltd TETLOW KING PLANNING The Art of Building Limited The Coal Authority The Design Buro The Design Studio The Drawing House The Garden History Society The Grasmere Group The Lawn Tennis Association The National Trust The Open Space Society The Planning Bureau Limited The Rosconn Group The Sandstone Group The Theatres Trust Three Spires Bowling Club Tile Hill Residents Association Town Planning Consultancy Ltd Travel Coventry Trustee of the Brian Faul Foundation Turley Associates Turley Associates Turley Associates Turnberry Consulting TurnberryPlanning Limited Tyler Parkes Partnership U3A United Mossdale Project University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire University of Warwick Urbanissta Virgin Mobile VLH Associates Vodafone and O2 Walsgrave Parochial Church Council Walsgrave Rest and Play Warwick District Council Warwickshire County Council Warwickshire PCT Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Warwickshire Wildlife Trust C/O WATCH WATCH Watch Limited Websdale Residents West Midlands Ambulance Service West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit West Midlands Police White Young Green Planning Whitefriars Housing Group Whitley Residents and Neighbourhood Watch Association Willenhall Community Forum William Davis Ltd Wimpey Homes - Development Director Winifred Avenue Residents Association Woodland Trust Woodlands Residents Association Wyken Green Residents Association YMD Boon Ltd

Appendix 2: City Centre Area Action – You said, we did.

Appendix 3 – Online responses to Regulation 18 consultation