Cathedral plans to revamp 300-year-old houses

The historic properties in Coventry city centre are nearly 300 years old

Grade II-listed houses in Coventry city centre could be revamped under plans lodged by the cathedral.

Proposals see the historic red brick town houses at numbers nine and 10 Priory Row turned into three new flats, including a four-bedroom apartment and a one-bedroom apartment for visiting clergy.

The properties, which are nearly 300 years old, have been empty for two years.

Other parts of the buildings would be used as offices for clerical functions by the church, according to the plans.

Coventry Cathedral has lodged plans with the city council to convert the historic houses

The move would include replacing small parts of the roof to stop leaks and changing some of the houses’ interior.

It would mean a “limited amount” of historic material was lost which would do a small amount of harm to the houses’ significance, a heritage statement admitted.

But it said this would be “less than substantial harm” under national policy – and would mean the buildings have a viable use.

The proposed changes, which were lodged with the city council, include putting in new toilets and bathrooms, and making the buildings “safety compliant” for modern offices and homes. An oil tank outside the houses is set to be knocked down as it is no longer needed.

The cathedral also intends to make some smaller changes to the inside of 11 Priory Row, known as St Michael’s House. The Grade-II listed building from the 1700s is used by the cathedral as offices.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.