Mature trees to be felled by Coventry University in £30m renovation of arts building - The Coventry Observer

Mature trees to be felled by Coventry University in £30m renovation of arts building

Coventry Editorial 30th Jan, 2020   0

PROTECTED trees will be uprooted in a £30million renovation of Coventry University buildings.

The maple and beech trees, which have stood for over 30 years, will be cleared as the university demolishes the Bugatti building on Cox Street.

Construction of a new faculty of arts is set to take three years and will also include a total refurbishment of the historic Graham Sutherland building.

Mature trees in the plaza outside the Graham Sutherland could be replaced with smaller birch trees, according to consultants.




A Tree Preservation Order was put on the trees in 1993, along with other trees around Jordan Well.

In a trees report for Coventry University, agents said: “The development for the faculty of arts and humanities will result in the loss of a number of trees around the development area, including trees subject to TPO’s.


“The new proposals will make provision for ‘green infrastructure’ to ensure any loss of biodiversity is offset in various parts of the development.

“This follows the local policy restoring/enhancing the biodiversity where any is lost in the development process.

“The faculty has proposed tree planting, which consists of semi-mature trees including native species such as the birch. There are also proposals to include ornamental hedgerows and grassed areas.”

The project will replace the Bugatti building, between the Graham Sutherland and Maurice Foss buildings, with a new 3716 sq m three storey, building.

Other aspects include overhauls of the 7432 sq m arts faculty tower and the Maurice Foss building on Grove Street.

In a statement, the university said: “The Bugatti building will be demolished to make way for a new public entrance and gallery space which will link the university’s Maurice Foss and Graham Sutherland buildings.

“The new building will also provide world-class teaching spaces, including a multi-use studio and Immersive Technology studio.

“Demolition work is set to begin on January 29. During this process a number of pedestrian and disabled access routes on campus will be affected, however there are alternative routes in place with signage and lighting.”

Coventry City Council were contacted for comment on the Tree Preservation Orders.

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