£17m plans for Coventry's Upper Precinct revealed

Developers say the plans would restore the spirit of the post-war city

Plans have been revealed for a £17m redevelopment of Coventry's city centre that councillors say would restore the intention of its post-war architecture.

The designs for the Upper Precinct would involve the removal of escalators and a ramp that, it is claimed, block views of the ruined cathedral's spire.

The plans, which have yet to be approved, would also see the creation of more student accommodation.

If granted permission, work would begin in summer 2018.

'Modern additions'

The plans form part of three redevelopment proposals for Coventry's city centre, including upgrades to the Cathedral Lanes shopping centre and work to the south of the city centre.

Councillors said they hoped the precinct development would mean the clean line of vision to the city's old cathedral was restored, as was intended by post-war planner Sir Donald Gibson.

Developers the Shearer Property Group said the changes, which also include a new shopping centre entrance and new student accommodation on the precinct's upper storeys, were "exciting".

The proposals would involve a new arcade entrance and more student accommodation

Who was Sir Donald Gibson?

• Sir Donald was an architect employed by Coventry's civic authority in the 1940s. He was known for wanting architecture to reflect "the present times", rather than looking to the past

• Following the heavy bombing of Coventry in 1940, which saw the destruction of many of its medieval buildings, Sir Donald drew up a masterplan which involved the complete reworking of the city centre

• Sir Donald's pedestrianised precinct was one of the first of its kind. However, down the years his original vision has been modified

The council says there is "no love" for the escalators

Jim O'Boyle, from the city council, said there was "no love" for the precinct's escalators.

"People have been telling us for years that they would like them removed," he said.

"This proposed work will mean we get the best of the original Gibson plan back, alongside some modern additions.

"Hopefully these changes, if approved by planning, will help to attract new shops and restaurants to the area and this work will complement the bigger regeneration plan for City Centre South."

Rob Orland, who runs the Historic Coventry website, said: "In my opinion, any plan to remove that escalator certainly sounds like a step in the right direction, as from ground level it does block the view towards Broadgate, which appears to have been central to Gibson's wartime plan."