Restoration to start on 19th Century summer houses

Work to restore a series of 19th Century summer houses in Coventry is set to get under way this month.

The three buildings on Stoney Road Allotments in Cheylesmore had fallen into disrepair, and were considered at risk of being lost forever.

They are considered nationally significant and Historic England has agreed to provide a £235,000 grant towards the restoration.

The site, originally known as the urban pleasure gardens, is Grade II* listed and contains the last remaining plots of the Cheylesmore Estate's park gardens, which were established about 200 years ago.

According to Coventry City Council, the allotments are one of only four remaining detached Victorian town gardens that are listed on Historic England's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

The site is actively in use, and sub-tenanted by the Stoney Road Gardens Association (SRGA).

"We have been working with the support of Historic England and we know the value of restoring these wonderful summer houses," said councillor Abdul Salam Khan, deputy leader of Coventry City Council.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how the buildings will look, once the restoration work is complete."

The summer houses include features like chimneys, fireplaces and internal panelling, indicating some of the plotholders would have lived in them for part of the year.

Louise Brennan, Midlands regional director at Historic England, said: "We are really pleased to be able to fund the refurbishment of the summer houses in partnership with Coventry City Council, and I can't wait to see them brought back into use for the benefit of the local community."

The council said a condition survey and feasibility study had been carried out prior to the project starting.

The preparatory work had been funded by Historic England, the authority said, and the council was contributing £20,000 towards the restoration.

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