Developer Redleaf has submitted plans for an EV Charging Hub and supporting retail, coffee and restaurant facilities at the site of a former social club opposite Coventry Building Society Arena.

Demolition works relating to an existing planning consent are currently taking place at the site via Midlands contractor, Cawarden, with the new application seeking to deliver an improved scheme.

Redleaf, which has owned the long-leasehold for a large part of the site since 2013, has submitted the planning application to Coventry City Council, which is also a joint landowner.

The proposals are centred around an Electric Vehicle Charging Hub with 12 dedicated ultra-rapid charging bays and Terms have been agreed with Osprey Charging, a national EV charging network operating over 400 locations.

The plans also include a retail unit and two drive-thrus for restaurant and coffee uses, and Redleaf is in advanced discussions with national and international branded operators.

The development would see the dilapidated brownfield site regenerated, creating a mix of up to 165 new job opportunities.

Paul Bishton, founder of Redleaf, has been working closely with Coventry City Council to deliver an exciting roadside scheme after originally being approached to do so by the local authority, due to Redleaf’s known expertise with this type of development.

Mr Bishton comments: “This is an exciting opportunity to finally bring this derelict land back into use with a range of benefits to local people. We are pleased to have formally agreed terms with Osprey Charging to anchor the scheme with a reliable ultra-rapid EV Hub, and we have industry leading, internationally recognised retail and drive-thru operators waiting in the wings to commit having already approved designs as potential operators.”