Keep heart of community, estate developer told

The developer behind a proposed scheme to regenerate a city estate has been urged to “keep the heart of the community”.

Plans for the transformation of Spon End in Coventry were put on display during a public consultation event held at Coventry Rugby Club on Monday.

During the event, people raised concerns about whether the proposed development would retain some of the area’s natural beauty as well as bring back the "community feel".

Developer Citizen Housing said the community had been “long waiting for” the development, which it said would create 750 high-quality homes.

Following the event, resident Ashley Spindler told BBC Radio CWR that the planned development had a positive aesthetic but was concerned there was “no real emphasis on the community that lives in Spon End”.

“We want to maintain our sense of community and belonging,” he added.

As part of the project, blocks containing about 449 flats would be demolished to make way for the 750 new homes.

Citizen Housing said it would take 12-15 years to deliver the scheme, which also included improving the green space and the River Sherbourne.

But resident Mark Gibbins said the developer should work to retain the existing trees around the estate, adding they had always been the “beauty of Spon End”.

He said: “When people were living there, it was a community. There were people out all the time. It had such a great community feel.

“Now that’s gone and I think if it was ever to gain that community feel to it, it’s going to take a long, long time.”

Kevin Roach, director of regeneration services at Citizen Housing, said the new homes would be “high quality” and energy efficient.

He said residents living in the buildings set to be knocked down had been rehomed and would be offered the chance to move back onto the newly redeveloped estate.

“It’s been a project that the community has long been waiting for,” Mr Roach added.

He said the developer was aiming to submit a planning application at the end of July or beginning of August.

Subject to obtaining planning permission, Citizen is hoping to start construction in spring 2025 following the demolition of the blocks.

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