Coventry City move one step closer to major CBS Arena regeneration project after £1.6m agreement

Coventry City are edging closer to gaining greater control over land surrounding the Coventry Building Society Arena after a major £1.6m agreement was reached.

The deal could ultimately pave the way for wider regeneration around the stadium, although the club are yet to reveal specific plans for the site.

Coventry set to complete £1.6m land purchase next to CBS Arena

As revealed by the BBC, Coventry are set to complete the purchase of council-owned Car Park C, located across the A444 from the CBS Arena, with the deal due to be signed off at a Coventry City Council cabinet meeting on October 13th.

The £1.6m purchase has been described as a “win-win” by the council and represents another sign of the improved relationship between the local authority and the club under owner Doug King.

Rather than the money going directly to the council, the purchase price will be paid to the club's official charity, Sky Blues in the Community. The charity will then be required to spend around £160,000 each year on sporting and cultural activities across Coventry for the next decade.

Council deputy leader Lynnette Kelly said gaining control of the land would allow Coventry to “plan for the future and look at wider regeneration of the area”.

There are currently no confirmed plans for what will be built on Car Park C, although several proposals have been considered over the years, including an indoor ski slope and hotels.

King said the agreement would bring Car Park C into the areas already covered by the club's existing head lease and “simplify future regeneration”.

FGG says: Land deal could unlock Coventry's wider stadium ambitions

This is an important piece of groundwork for Coventry, even if there is no immediate development attached to the land.

Bringing Car Park C under the club's control gives King far greater flexibility over the future of the area around the CBS Arena.

The most interesting aspect is what could eventually happen next, particularly if the club develops a wider masterplan for the stadium and surrounding land.