Coventry Live readers are up in arms over the news that a rural area in Coventry, already experiencing significant housing development, may see the construction of hundreds more homes. Richborough, a land promoter, is proposing to build up to 350 houses on agricultural land off Fivefield Road in Keresley.
One resident likened Keresley to a “warzone” during a planning meeting in September, citing issues with overgrown hedgerows, congested roads, and overcrowded schools. Another resident pointed out that despite seven ongoing development projects, there have been no improvements to the road network to accommodate the increased traffic. Council officials maintained that funding from developers will cover the costs of a new road and junction upgrades, and that plans for a school are underway.
The expansion of Keresley was approved in 2017 as part of the council’s growth strategy for the city, which includes the construction of 3,100 homes, a school, shops, and a link road, while preserving important natural features. However, the decision was not without controversy, as councillors agreed to remove a significant portion of land from the city’s greenbelt. Despite vehement resistance from campaigners, plots have been cleared in Keresley and other areas for the construction of new homes.
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A recent document regarding the Fivefield Road development even mentions the “changing character” of the area, reflecting on the predominance of housing developments that now give one the impression of being at the outskirts of the city.
You can find more information by visiting the council’s planning portal and searching for reference: PL/2024/0002559/SCR.
Commenter Eileen6 says: “Keresley cannot take any more houses. We have no schools, no doctors and we have had flooding problems. There’s also no bus service near these homes. I question how the Council will manage? We cannot have our bins emptied as they keep changing collection days, hence a huge rise in fly tipping.”
Supergran1 agrees: “For goodness sake all these new homes will need more than a school! They’ll need a GP practice, dentist, etc. Where will they go if they need hospital care because UHCW can’t cope with the patients they’ve got going to A&E? How much more green belt land is this Council going to take?”
Cloudy Day adds: “Complete nonsense. Farm land is now used for unwanted rabbit hutches and so called houses. Where are all the jobs that pay for these over priced hutches?”
Timmykins1 asks: “What will happen to the rabbits, pheasants, hawks and foxes? Where are they going to go?”
Percyville replies: “I live near this site and they killed the pheasants and a lot of other wildlife last year. We used to get them in the gardens, but not anymore!”
Wb38 believes: “Please stop, we don’t want to merge Coventry and Birmingham.”
Mick26 says: “This & many other projects have probably been agreed already. Mention anything to do with Coventry Council & I have no confidence whatsoever.”
Georgiesaint asks: “Where is Coventry’s increased population coming from? Do we really need more houses while many are sitting empty?”
Bobinder replies: “Even if we have zero migration, this country needs millions of homes. The empty homes you see are mostly not fit for purpose and would not be economically viable to bring up to spec. Landlords leeching off the less wealthy is a scandal. No landlord should have more than 20-25% borrowing in a buy to let property. This would stop those who can obtain a mortgage passing on the high costs of their mortgages to tenants whilst profiting from increasing house values. Rents should be pegged to no more than 3% increase every three years. Will the government bring such measures in? Not a chance.”
Pedro1970 disagrees: “It’s good to see our council supporting Labour’s pledge to build 1,500,000 homes in the next 5 years.”
Greenplanet points out: “Coventry has had their housing targets reduced by 50%. They are in danger of over supply.”
Madmckay agrees: “We don’t need the homes like we didn’t need all the student housing. There are empty homes all over the city.”
How do you feel about the new housing developments? Are they providing much needed housing or are they just destroying the greenbelt? Have your say in our comments section.