The Government has approved plans to demolish the former Coventry Central Baths, clearing the way for the regeneration of the four-acre city centre site.

The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has granted Listed Building Consent for the demolition of the Grade II listed building on Fairfax Street, which has stood vacant since closing in 2020.

Coventry City Council and regeneration specialist Redford Developments have been working to identify alternative uses for the site since its closure, but concluded that redevelopment offered the most viable long-term solution.

Historic England backed demolition after reuse options explored

Opened in 1966, the Central Baths complex became surplus to requirements following the opening of the Olympic-sized pool at the Alan Higgs Centre and The Wave water park.

Although the building received Grade II listed status in 1997, Historic England confirmed in August 2025 that it would not object to demolition after reviewing the condition of the asset and the feasibility of reuse proposals.

According to the council, maintaining the vacant building costs around £400,000 a year in security and essential maintenance.

Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “Since the Cov Baths closed in February 2020, there has been extensive work carried out to try to find a suitable use for the site.

“Redford Developments specialises in this kind of work, but despite their best efforts this has been unsuccessful and the building remains empty. This means a prominent space in our city is being left to decay and is costing taxpayers thousands of pounds every year. This cannot be allowed to continue.

“We would have loved to protect Cov Baths, as it is a part of our city, and has a place in many people’s hearts, but we must find a way to bring this area back to life. We are therefore grateful for MHCLG’s approval to demolish the site, enabling us to plan something special.”

Brownfield regeneration plans move to next stage

Coventry City Council secured £50,000 of Homes England funding to support the demolition consent process and begin planning for the wider regeneration of the site.

Architectural practice Make Architects has developed initial design principles and sustainability concepts for the future redevelopment, while preparations for demolition and procurement of a demolition contractor can now begin.

Richard Mees, Chief Executive of Redford Developments, said:  “Over recent years, this former swimming pool has been condemned as unfit for its function and is a financially unviable property asset.

Considerable efforts to repurpose the site have been undertaken, including a national marketing exercise and significant work by our consultant team to explore all possible options to retain the asset, however there are fundamental issues preventing its re-use.

“We have worked alongside the Council, commissioning specialists to determine the condition of the asset and assess the optimum way forward. Options for re-use, reconfiguration, partial demolition and full demolition have all been analysed, with full demolition established as being in the best interests for the Council and the people of Coventry.

“Now the decision by MHCLG has been made, we can work with the Council to commission the demolition of the derelict structure, reducing the ongoing cost burden to taxpayers. As a cleared site in the beating heart of such a vibrant city centre, it will have a bright future.”

Coventry project forms part of wider brownfield regeneration programme

The Coventry Central Baths scheme is one of 10 brownfield sites currently being promoted or developed by Redford Developments.

The company recently secured outline planning approval for a 400-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme near the University of Warwick and has also submitted plans for around 100 homes on the former E.ON headquarters site at Westwood Business Park.

With Government approval now secured, the demolition of Coventry Central Baths marks the next stage in the regeneration of one of the city’s most prominent vacant brownfield sites, creating opportunities for future development in the heart of Coventry city centre.