Developer questions WMCA’s EV charging hub plans

Plans by the West Midlands Combined Authority to buy a derelict site from Coventry City Council and build an electric car charging station have been questioned by a leaseholder on the site. Paul Bishton, founder of Midlands-based developer Redleaf, has owned the long-leasehold for a large part of the site containing the former Rowleys Green Working Men’s Club, near Coventry Building Society Arena, since 2013. He claims that he has been working with the council to deliver an “exciting roadside scheme”, including EV charge points, and that he can deliver that scheme without the need to spend public money. The WMCA has agreed to buy the site for around £1m. Redleaf has a current planning consent at the site and is in the process of submitting new plans for a scheme including around 20 EV charging bays, drive-through coffee shop and drive-through restaurant. However, a recent Coventry City Council cabinet meeting report revealed a recommendation that the site is sold to the WMCA to enable the combined authority to progress its own plans. The meeting to approve that plan takes place later today. Bishton said: “I am shocked and deeply saddened that Coventry City Council has not consulted with us. For the last 12 months we have been actively engaged in delivering a design that meets the declared needs for the combined authority for 20 EV charging spaces. We have detailed designs and operators ready to commit to the resultant scheme proposals. “Now we find that the council and combined authority have privately hatched a deal for the site’s sale, which is baffling, especially as our long leasehold interest was originally purchased at the behest of the council and in good faith of both parties’ mutual interest. We have invested huge amounts of time and costs into regeneration plans.” He added: “All our work has been geared to deliver the scheme without spending any public money, without the need for the council to necessarily sell their freehold interest, all the while delivering on the declared strategic aims of the combined authority. “WMCA’s responsibility is to use public funds in the public interest and benefit, so why waste public money on repossessing this site when there is already an EV scheme ready to go through private investment. It appears to be a senseless waste of public money. We have now written to elected members and I urge the council to delay the decision and work collaboratively with us to secure the best outcome for the site.” Photo by Marek Studzinski/Unsplash