Stop notice served on demolition of former bank

Demolition work was carried out in a conservation area in Earlsdon without permission

A stop notice has been served to prevent any further unauthorised demolition or rebuilding of a former bank in Coventry.

The city council said the action was to prohibit any more work at the former NatWest bank in Earlsdon's which is a conservation area.

It comes after a petition by campaigners had called for the council to take "decisive action" over the work for which no planning application has been made.

Andrew Walster, director of city services said the situation was "frustrating for everyone concerned" and this was the first time in about 20 years that the council had served a stop notice.

He said: "We have been listening to the concerns of residents and working with ward councillors to find a solution, but so far, we have not received any future plans from the property owners.

He added: "The Earlsdon area was designated a conservation area, and the demolition work carried out so far has had a serious impact on the character of the neighbourhood."

In January, the council served a temporary stop notice (TSN) to require all building, development or demolition work to stop immediately, and said an investigation was ongoing.

However, the TSN, which can only be for a maximum of 56 days, expires at midnight on Tuesday, and a further TSN cannot be served.

Because no valid planning application has been received for rebuilding work, the council said it was necessary to take further action and has issued the stop notice and enforcement notice to prohibit further work.