Arson-hit former hotel to be 'urgently demolished'

Plans to "urgently" demolish a derelict hotel repeatedly targeted by arsonists and replace it with 55 new homes have been approved.

City council planners agreed to let developers Avant Homes go ahead with knocking down the vacant Allesley Hotel building in Birmingham Road, Coventry, before specific details are approved.

Councillors had voted unanimously in favour of the demolition of the hotel earlier this year, which has remained empty since 2022.

Sam Salt, regional planning manager at Avant Homes, said the need to go ahead swiftly with clearing the site had arisen because of the state of the existing buildings.

A letter from the developer explained the buildings at the site were in "poor condition," following a prolonged period of inactivity.

It added the site had also been subject to a number of arson incidents that had required the attendance of emergency services, demonstrating its vulnerability and potential for further incidents.

The front elevation of the building, which leads directly onto a footpath, also meant that any failure of masonry or other roof materials could pose an "immediate danger" to passing pedestrians or vehicles.

"Given the extent of the deterioration, the building's proximity to the public highway, and the potential for further incidents, it is considered unsafe and urgently requires demolition to eliminate the risk to the public," the letter added.

"It is therefore important that the demolition works can commence at the earliest opportunity."

Coventry City Council planners agreed to allow demolition of the existing buildings to go ahead in advance of approval of all details.

"The amendments seek to remove the requirement to submit certain details in advance of demolition works and thereby to allow demolition of the existing buildings to commence in advance of approval of these details," they said.

"The proposed changes to the conditions are minor in nature and make no material change to the approved scheme."

A number of planning conditions have been amended to enable the demolition work to begin, including using local people for construction works, a sustainable drainage system, and details of the noise expected to be generated by the development.

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

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