Coventry Society’s latest annual report (covering February 2025 to January 2026) paints a picture of a busy, campaigning and increasingly influential civic organisation. From riverside walks to planning battles, blue plaques to heritage conferences, it’s been a year defined by energy, persistence and – above all – a focus on the River Sherbourne.
The Year of the River Sherbourne
The Society chose the River Sherbourne as its theme for 2025–26 – and really leaned into it.
Talks, tours and visits centred on the river’s heritage and its future. In April, members heard about developments at Charterhouse Heritage Park, followed by a guided visit in May. July saw a look at floodplain repurposing work at Lake View Park, part of the wider Sherbourne Valley Project.
One of the most fascinating exchanges came through collaboration with the Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust in Sheffield. Their volunteers visited Coventry in January to see the “daylighting” work at Palmer Lane – where stretches of the river are being uncovered and restored. Coventry Society members then travelled to Sheffield in August to see what’s possible when rivers are brought back into city centres. Highlights included walking along the Porter Brook beneath Sheffield’s railway station – a powerful example of how urban rivers can be transformed.
September’s Heritage Open Days saw the Society once again join the Sherbourne Valley Project at the River Festival in Fargo Village. With a stall, a photographic exhibition and a specially produced two-page “River Festival News”, they helped showcase the river’s historic importance and its environmental potential. Two guided tours of the Charterhouse area were also delivered for other organisations.
The river even shaped planning responses. In comments on the Spon End regeneration proposals, the Society pressed for the Sherbourne to be fully recognised and integrated into the development. Over the year, nine blog posts focused on the river, keeping members and the wider public informed.
Heritage: Wins, Losses and Ongoing Battles
It hasn’t all been plain sailing on the heritage front.
The Society was disappointed not to secure any new national listings this year. Even more worrying is the potential loss of the listed Coventry Swimming Baths building, with demolition under discussion. The Society understands the Council’s ambitions but remains concerned that demolition could go ahead without a clear replacement vision in place.
The campaign to list Park Cottage in Stoke Park was another tough challenge. Working with the Victorian Society and local residents, and producing fresh historical research, the Society explored a renewed listing application. However, after discussions with Historic England, it became clear that listing was unlikely. The focus has now shifted to supporting residents in engaging with SAVE Britain’s Heritage and pushing for updates to the Stoke Park Conservation Area Management Plan.
There were some positives. Two historic structures gained local listing support, and a blog highlighted buildings “at risk” across the city. The Society also investigated a newly revealed medieval wall uncovered during demolition in Spon End, ensuring heritage officers were alerted.
Campaigning on Development
Planning remains at the heart of the Society’s work.
This year saw the creation of an online planning sub-group, allowing for more systematic monitoring and responses. In total, 77 planning applications were reviewed in detail, with formal responses submitted to 26.
Major issues included:
- Continued objections to inappropriate purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
- The Spon End regeneration scheme, particularly ameliorating its impact on conservation areas and the River Sherbourne.
- Detailed comments on redevelopment proposals at Sandy Lane.
- Objections to housing developments affecting green spaces, including Keresley Jubilee Wood – a campaign that ultimately succeeded when the application was withdrawn.
- Concerns over the demolition of Coventry Swimming Baths.
- Support for a revised Lenton’s Lane Solar Farm scheme, after improvements addressed earlier objections.
Not every campaign succeeded. Efforts to save a limb of the iconic Indian Bean Tree in Little Park Street were unsuccessful. But the Society continues to show it is prepared to challenge, support or refine proposals depending on their merits.
The group also keeps a “watching brief” on a long list of significant sites – from City Centre South and Coventry Indoor Market to the old IKEA building, Coventry Airport and Whitefriars Monastery. It’s an ongoing commitment to vigilance.
Public Spaces and City Centre Concerns
Beyond formal planning, the Society has been vocal about the creeping privatisation of public spaces.
The expansion of permanent outdoor seating under city centre canopies – particularly on Corporation Street – has raised concerns about rubbish, neglect and the erosion of public amenity. This forms part of a wider issue the Society has been campaigning on since 2024: POPS (Privately Owned Public Spaces). One success this year was resolving inappropriate car parking in the square outside the Britannia Hotel.
Spon Street is set to become a major campaign focus next year, with growing alarm over vacant units and visible decline along one of Coventry’s most historic streets.
Education, Design and Young People
The Society continues to build strong links with Coventry University, supporting architecture students on Coventry-based projects and promoting their annual degree show.
One committee member has been appointed to the Midlands Design Panel – a positive development, though attempts to encourage the City Council to formally engage with the panel have yet to succeed.
Blue Plaques and Celebrating Coventry
A standout moment this year was the unveiling of a blue plaque commemorating Mo Mowlam at Coundon Court School, where she was Head Girl. The plaque was unveiled by her biographer, Julia Langdon, and the Society donated a biography and display materials to the school. It’s a reminder that heritage isn’t only about buildings – it’s about people too.
Conferences, Events and Community
The Society’s fifth heritage conference, held at The Herbert in October, was a success. Titled “City Heritage: Future Strategies”, it drew 70 attendees and 11 speakers. Meanwhile, the Heritage Network email (launched in 2024) has grown to 158 subscribers.
Throughout the year, meetings covered topics ranging from medieval music to Joseph Paxton, Coventry BID and the city’s lost castle. Visits included trips to Leamington Spa, Stanford Hall, Stoney Road Gardens and Coventry’s Very Light Rail demonstration project.
Communications, Membership and Finance
It’s been a prolific year online: 156 news blogs were published, alongside weekly planning updates.
Membership has grown from 143 to 156 – steady, organic growth. Financially, the charity remains stable, with income of £5,724, expenditure of £4,420 and total assets of £7,612 at year end. A £2,000 award from the Pioneer Health Foundation will fund a public health-related heritage initiative next year.
Looking Ahead
If there’s a theme beyond the river this year, it’s resilience.
Whether challenging unsuitable development, pushing for better design standards, celebrating Coventry’s past or scrutinising major regeneration schemes, the Coventry Society continues to act as a constructive but critical friend to the city.
As debates over housing, heritage, public space and regeneration intensify, the coming year – with Spon Street and the Local Plan inquiry looming – looks set to be just as busy.
For members and the wider public, one thing is clear: Coventry’s future is being shaped now, and the Coventry Society intends to be part of that conversation.
You can download a copy of the full annual report, in newsletter format, from our website.