Bishopgate Scheme Scaled Down
Plans for the redevelopment of the former Postal Sorting Office appear to have been scaled down following the withdrawal of interest by a major supermarket group.
The previous scheme proposed a complete redevelopment of the site and the construction of a new multi-use building including a supermarket on several levels, leisure and retail uses and car parking. There was a total of 130,000 sq. ft. of retail use and 20,000 sq. ft. of leisure uses.
The new scheme, shown on the Bishopgate Website retains the old Sorting Office Building and sub-divides it into three major retail units. Plans to remove the bridge over the Ring Road and replace it with a surface level pedestrian crossing have been retained, presumably at the request of the City Council. A planning application has not yet been submitted.
Members of the Coventry Society are divided about the new scheme. Some of us think that it is a poor substitute for the original scheme whilst others consider that retaining the original building is good for sustainability. Some of us think that putting a pedestrian crossing accross the Ring Road is complete nonsense and will lead to increased pedestrian accidents!
What do you think?