David Bentley

Coventry City Council has ordered The Butts Hand Car Wash to permanently stop operating from the car park of the former Butts Retreat pub in Spon End. The council said the unauthorised operation caused excessive noise and risked contaminated water entering the River Sherbourne. The enforcement notice takes effect on 7 September unless appealed, with three months allowed for the site’s infrastructure and waste to be removed. A separate application for a car wash at the site was rejected in May.

Coventry City Council rejected a proposal by Richborough to build 350 homes on farmland in Keresley, determining the development would harm a protected landscape and compromise the setting of the Burrow Hill Fort Iron Age monument. Planners said the scheme conflicted with countryside protection policies, lacked sufficient information on traffic and groundwater impacts, and failed to provide adequate open space for residents.

Coventry is considering expanding 20mph speed limits across the city through a comprehensive policy rather than individual cases. Existing and newly approved zones were noted, with councillors raising concerns about pedestrian safety near new housing developments lacking pavements. Officials said a citywide review of 20mph use is underway, with a report expected later in the year outlining how the limits could be applied to improve road safety.

Coventry residents are facing waits of up to three months for replacement waste bins, a delay council officials acknowledge is unacceptable. Councillor Patricia Hetherton said the long timeframe reflects a maximum limit due to demand, stock issues and supplier lead times, though most bins arrive sooner. The council is exploring new systems to improve tracking and reporting as it also faces criticism for missing a national deadline to launch its food waste collection service. Nearly 11,000 bin replacement requests were made between June 2025 and May 2026, with green bins accounting for the largest share.

Coventry’s community safety officials plan increased enforcement against illegal e-bike and e-scooter riding in the city centre, supported by nearly two dozen compliance and neighbourhood support officers. Councillor John McNicholas reported 47 penalties and 17 related collisions over an 18‑month period, prompting consideration of expanded warden powers and potential use of mobile cameras, though funding remains a challenge. The council is also consulting on strengthening its Public Spaces Protection Order, refining existing restrictions and adding new measures targeting disruptive activities such as amplified religious preaching.