Ian Harrabin talks to the Coventry Society - 5th October 2015
The talk was a very interesting and positive presentation of current and potential developments being undertaken and pursued by Historic Coventry (ex. Charterhouse Trust) that are looking to establish a “National Trust” for Coventry.
Ian opened by observing that the sun is currently shining for the environment in Coventry, with support from the City Council, the City of Culture bid, and funding from the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership).
Historic Coventry aims to positively address the external image of the city, promoting the amazing legacy of historic buildings and to help realize the potential. Ian has just completed a tour of the city with Historic England which has underlined this potential, that spans the medieval period through to the post-war re-developments. The aims are to re-generate historic and listed buildings, pay respect to the city’s heritage (e.g. the city walls and gates) and to access funding to facilitate activities.
Ian presented a broad range of potential developments including:
• Re-open the bridge restaurant and improve the pedestrian link from Hertford Street to Broadgate.
• Bring old buildings (Whitefriars monastery, Whitefriars gatehouse, Priory Row cottages, numbers 22 & 23 Bayley Lane…) back into use to generate revenue that would fund activities. These buildings could be developed to provide “premium” visitor accommodation that is sadly lacking in the city centre.
• The on-going multi-million pond regeneration of the Charterhouse, and the broader development of a Heritage Park encompassing the London Road cemetery (or rather the Joseph Paxton Arboretum Park). Ian outlined the potential to link up this sizeable open space (a green wedge) to Gosford Street / Gate via the River Sherbourne, and to create a cycle / pedestrian route along the former railway loop line to the historic Gosford Green.
• Create a visitor destination along the River Sherbourne along the lines of an Eco-development.
• Application to get the Sherbourne railway viaduct listed; Ian indicated that any help and support for this application would be appreciated. The striking viaduct carries the West Coast mainline over the River Sherbourne and is a Network Rail asset in need of refurbishment that could be greatly enhanced.
• Bayley Lane (numbers 22 & 23 together with the ex-Browetts building) could be redeveloped to include a “Tea & Cakes place” and accommodation to house and promote both Historic Coventry and the Coventry Society. This would require volunteers to man the development, would any members be prepared to offer their services?
• The Burges Townscape – Ian outlined the plan to redevelop this Historic Conservation Area, restore a number of historic buildings along the lines of the very successful Gosford Street / Fargo development, to expose and open up the stretch of the River Sherbourne along Palmer Lane, and to link the area into Millenium Place and Priory Place. The schematic visuals shown were exciting and inspiring.
Ian’s presentation was very well received, and generated a lot of interest at the Question & Answer session. Matters arising included:
• Establishing a Tourist Information Centre that is fit for purpose and visible to visitors and tourists in the city centre, possibly located in Broadgate?
• Ian outlined the significance and opportunity offered by the City of Culture Bid; this will bring people together (including Coventry and the wider Warwickshire), and will promote and develop tourism together with the associated economic and job creation benefits. It can also change the rather negative impression of Coventry (as a dump) and present a positive impression to potential developers who are often individual decision takers.
Society member Susan Daniel thanked Ian for a very interesting, positive and uplifting presentation.
There is real interest within the Coventry Society to improve the Quality of our City Centre, and to respect and develop the rich historic legacy. We are aligned with the objectives of Historic Coventry and the exciting developments outlined by Ian, and we will look to encourage and support these projects. Ian stated that delivering the objectives is dependent on resource and activity. We can all play our role in this, and the Committee welcomes the views and opinions of all Society members, and would appreciate any active support and offer of help in pursuit of these initiatives.
Together with Historic Coventry, the Coventry Society looks forward to promoting Coventry in a positive light, acknowledging the rich historic legacy, and developing the City Centre as part of a forward looking vision for Coventry.
Chris Daniel