'You failed us by approving flats scheme' Group lodges a formal complaint with council.

Byline: SIMON DUDMAN

A RESIDENTS' group has made a formal complaint to the city council after planning permission was granted for a block of flats in a conservation area.

The site - within the Craven Street conservation area - was occupied by a Texaco garage but developer Hollier and Bloor has now been given approval to build 33 flats, with 41 parking spaces.

People living in Allesley Old Road, Chapelfields, and in neighbouring streets, had complained that the planned U-shaped block in Allesley Old Road, between Lord Street and Mount Street, was too imposing and would aggravate parking problems.

Now they are even more angry because they feel the council failed them and gave preference to developers.

They also claim the decision was made to avoid legal costs if the developer had appealed against a refusal of permission.

The Chapelfields Area Residents' and Traders' Association (CARTA) has now submitted a complaint to the chairman of the planning committee Cllr Kieran Mulhall, authority chief executive Stella Manzie and John McGuigan, director of city development.

In the letter, Lynne Wilkins, CARTA chairman, said: "We do not think that Coventry City Council, elected members and officers have represented our interests in granting permission.

"You have dismissed our concerns to give more weight to developers because of your fear of picking up any legal costs connected to appeals against the council.

"We feel that advice given to the planning committee has been faulty, and we feel that despite statements about wanting to involve local residents from priority neighbourhoods in local decisions, the council failed to take notice of our priorities expressed though the neighbourhood plan, through petitions and individual representations. If you will not represent our interests who will?"

The option now open to the group is to seek a judicial review of the decision.

A council spokesman said they were unable to comment.