Boost for Hillfields as Howitzer Club Change Approved

Kevin Welcomes Decision to Grant Planning Permission To Convert Howitzer Club to Provide a new Community Facility For Hillfields

20th August 2009

Cllr Kevin Foster, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Coventry South, has today welcomed the unanimous decision by the City Council's Planning Committee to grant permission for the Howitzer Club to be converted into a new Church and community facility. Kevin attended today's (20th August 2009) meeting to show his support for the project.

The plan by the Redeemed Christian Church of God will see the old Howitzer Club in Albert Street, Hillfields converted into not just a place of worship, but also a facility for the whole community. The plans include a crèche for low income families, youth club and a faith clinic to provide counselling on issues like debt or unemployment.

Whilst welcoming the overall decision, Kevin was pleased to note that a meeting was promised between the applicants and those residents who had raised concerns about parking, as well as other issues to try to resolve them.

Cllr Kevin Foster, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Coventry South, said: "I welcome the Planning Committees decision to give planning consent in this case. Far too often when clubs or pubs close the community loses a valuable facility completely. I am therefore pleased that in this case a religious group is not only developing a new place of worship for themselves, but also providing facilities that will benefit the wider community. This scheme will make a real difference to people in Hillfields and I am glad that it was backed by all members of the Planning Committee."