Friargate offices scheme unveiled | Offices.org.uk

Friargate offices scheme unveiled

Posted on by John Cronin

A revised masterplan for a large scale office development in the centre of Coventry was unveiled to the public last night.

Developers behind the controversial Friargate scheme, that is proposed for a site next to Coventry railway station, presented their revised plans for the development to a packed council meeting on Wednesday night. Many local residents have voiced concerns about increased traffic congestion in the area.

friargateCannon Kirk, a property development company, has already been granted outline planning permission for a £1.5billion scheme in the centre of Coventry (pictured). The proposed scheme will offer a 3.2 million sq ft in an office led, mixed-use development that will include 14 Grade A office buildings. In total the development will consist of 26 new buildings.

The developers believe that the old commercial buildings on the 37 acre site are under-utilised and are unable to meet the demands of potential occupiers looking for high quality, modern and efficient offices.

Rodney Pilcher, Friargate Coventry LLP, commented when outline planning permission was granted earlier this year: “Coventry is already benefiting from a number of successful new office developments but Friargate presents the opportunity for us to deliver the highest quality regeneration right next to the train station”.

Attendees of the latest public meeting were not wholly satisfied with what they heard however. Councillor Kevin Foster told the Coventry Telegraph: “For all the residents turning up it was quite a frustrating evening. They had been invited to the event and got very little answers. Their key issues have not been listened to.”

The revised masterplan will be used as the basis for a detailed planning application that is expected to be submitted in December.

Architects behind the speculative scheme are Allies and Morrison.

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