G.N.Parkash Temple
Harnall Lane West, Coventry
Design & Access Statement
Rear Canopy
October 2013
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Contents
1.0
Introduction
2.0
Core Strategy
3.0
Area Character
4.0
Significance of New Canopy
5.0
Methodology
6.0
The Design
7.0
Conclusion
8.0
List of Drawings
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1.0
Introduction
1.1
Aims
This report forms part of the full planning application for the proposal at Harnall Lane West,
Coventry and provides an explanation of the design and the ideas behind it as well as covering
aspects including use, size, style, and access. This report establishes the need for the proposal
which is a much needed rear canopy for Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash Temple in Coventry.
This architectural design document has been prepared by Archi-tekt Partnership Ltd for part of a
full planning application submitted on behalf of our client for the proposal of the canopy at the
Temple at Harnall Lane West.
This document covers:

The design statement which considers the relationship of the proposal to the surrounding
area

The development of a canopy on the South-East side of the site, as a covered service
yard for deliveries and to create a shelter for the space users.
1.2
Design Ethos
The key drivers of the design have been to provide a much needed sheltered area for Gurdwara
Guru Nanak Parkash Temple. The canopy will provide shelter for the service yard, protection from
the elements and allow more light into the ground floor of the building.
1.3
Location
The site is located on 71 Harnall Lane West which is approximately 1 mile South of Coventry Town
Centre. The area around the site is densely populated with existing commercial developments,
residential units, various places of worship as well as Coventry and Warwickshire University
Hospital.
The site benefits from access to Foleshill Road via Leicester Causeway which is another primary
route. This offers a direct route to Coventry train station and Coventry bus station which are within
a 10/15min walking distance from the site, making it a very accessible area.
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2.0
Core Strategy
2.1
Sustainable Community Strategy
The Sustainable Community Strategy (‘Coventry – the next 20 years’) was approved in 2011. It
sets out the overall strategic direction and long-term vision for the economic, social and
environmental well-being of the City. It provides a focus to inform the development of a range of
strategies and plans by a variety of organisations in order to achieve the agreed strategic long-term
outcomes for the City.
2.2
Strategic Vision and Objectives Vision
The Council’s Vision is:
“Coventry – Proud to be a City that works:
•
for jobs and growth
•
for better pavements, streets and roads
•
to support and celebrate our young people
•
to protect our most vulnerable residents
We're proud to do this by:
2.3
•
being honest, fair and transparent when we make decisions
•
working with residents, communities and partners to get things done
•
Celebrating all that's good about our city and its future.”
Swanswell Masterplan
The Swanswell Masterplan sets out guidance for the future of the area as a whole, for the layout,
the uses and appropriate form of development in each of the development parcels, and for such
details as landscape, materials, and street furniture.
We strongly believe that the design of the canopy is in line with Coventry’s objectives and vision for
the future, and consider it to be a positive addition to the surrounding context.
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3.0
Area Character
3.1
Site Analysis
The surrounding area is mainly built up of residential properties along with a few industrial and
commercial premises. There are also pockets of green space including Swanswell Park and Naul’s
Mill Park.
The building generally sits on a flat plane although roads bounding the site slope down to the east
side of the Temple. The Temple is constructed with beige brickwork for the external facade, with
bands of blue brickwork surrounding the window openings. The boundary surrounding the Temple
is low level brick wall in some areas, extending to a higher level where the ground level drops. A
large car parking area for the Gurdwara is also allocated towards the rear of the site.
3.2
Appraising the Context
Coventry is a City currently undergoing dynamic change with Masterplans in place guiding any future
development and regeneration of the area as a whole. The local planning document is the City’s Unitary
Development Plan: the Coventry Development Plan (CDP) adopted in 2001.
LOCATION FOR PROPOSED CANOPY ON SOUTH-WEST SIDE OF THE SITE
Policy BE2 of the CDP states that high quality urban design will be promoted by ensuring that all new
development takes into account the following design principles:

Enhancing townscape and landscape character by reflecting locally distinct patterns of
development

Strengthening the continuity of street frontages and the enclosure of space by development
which clearly defines the boundaries between private and public space

Providing high quality public spaces which are safe, uncluttered, active and easily identifiable

Making places that inter-connect and are attractive to move through

Ensuring that developments are readily understood by users

Encouraging developments which can adapt to changing social, technological, economic and
market conditions

Promoting diversity through mixes of use which work together to create vital and viable places

Ensuring that developments are sustainable in terms of their design, layout and density.
In addition to the above adopted CDP, a number of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) including
the Coventry Urban Design Guidance, the Coventry Streetscape, Signing and Information Strategy and
Delivering a More Sustainable City, help to complete the planning context for the regeneration of
Coventry.
Also of relevance are the adopted Coventry City Centre Masterplan and the draft Swanswell
Regeneration Masterplan. The Site falls within the boundaries of the Swanswell Regeneration Area and
whilst it is acknowledged that the Swanswell Masterplan is still in draft form and therefore has no
statutory basis, it has nevertheless helped to shape and inform the design development of the proposed
scheme.
VIEW TOWARDS THE SITE FROM LEICESTER CAUSEWAY
As such, the proposal has been designed to ensure that the proposed development will be kept in-line
with the objectives of the Masterplan as well as Policy BE2 of the Coventry Development Plan.
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4.0
4.1
Significance of New Canopy
Sangat and Pangat
The first Guru of the Sikhs Guru Nanak Dev Ji felt that the real cause of the misery of the people
was their disunity born of diversity of belief. He therefore, refused to recognize any distinction
between humans and tried to bring his followers together both in thought and deed. He inculcated a
common mode of worship and a common social institute by laying the foundation
of Sangat and Pangat.
Sangat means "association". It is getting together of noble and good people. Pangat literally means
a same row. It stands for people sitting and eating together in the same row in Guru-ka-langar.
From the time of Guru Nanak, Sangat and Pangat have gone together, for the Sikhs, both in
percept as well as in practice. Wherever there was a Sangat there also was a Langar.
4.2
Langar
Sikhism offers food to all visitors that come to the Gurdwara for free. At Langar only vegetarian
LANGAR BEING SERVED BY THE GURUS
food is served, to ensure that all people, regardless of their dietary restrictions, can eat as equals.
Langar is open to Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike.
Langar designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people regardless of religion, caste,
colour, creed, age, gender or social status, a revolutionary concept in the caste-ordered society of
16th-century India where Sikhism began.
The tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of
all humankind. "...the Light of God is in all hearts”.
The sangat and pangat provide avenues of service, as for example collection of funds to secure
fuel and rations, cleaning of grains, cutting of vegetables, cooking of food and distribution of meals.
Similarly serving of water, washing of utensils and dishes, and the cleaning of the dining hall.
4.3
Requirements
Suitable shelter space is required for the Kitchen storage. As food is of very high important to
Sikhism it is vital to cater for the volunteers to carry out the works related to the kitchen. The
proposed canopy will allow easy access for the volunteers in and out of the building and use the
open space in different seasonal weather. It would be ideal for the helpers in the kitchen to access
the deliveries easily as well as providing privacy and helping them out in all kinds of weather.
LANGAR BEING SERVED TODAY
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5.0
Methodology
5.1
Site Urbanism
The approach to the site looks at how the surrounding elements operate in terms of links, routes,
frontage, green spaces and developments. The area is mixed with numerous places of worship for
various religions, residential and commercial buildings.
The places of worship within 5-10 minutes walking distance are:

Shree Gujurati Hindu Satsang Mandal

St Stanisalaus Kostkas Church

Cumberstone Church of God

Polish Perish

Gospel Hall

Masjid Zeenatul Islam
The site and the surrounding area provide positive movement and interaction with a lot of mixed
religious and cultural influences.
5.2
Density
With respect to the buildings within the area, the residential units are generally densely built and
the commercial buildings are less; mainly due to the open space and parking needed. The site
therefore sits in an area of mixed uses.
5.3
Integrity of Public Spaces
“Streets are well defined by buildings” - This is true of Harnall Lane West with examples such as
the Coventry and Warwickshire University Hospital. In contrast, the streets North of the site then
become defined by housing and a constant uniform pattern can be seen.
5.4
Building Height
There are two broad zones relative to the site. To the North and North-East lie two storey
residential units. To the South and West of the site is a mixture of two to four storey developments
most of which are for commercial use. Here the building footprints are much larger and significantly
higher which give an uneven frontage to the surrounding area.
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6.0
The Design
6.1
Design Concept
The openings in the canopy itself would be formed with three glazed units which will sit on a singleply flat roof. The glass elements on this canopy have been placed for the natural light to flood into
the open space making the space feel welcomed and well useable. In addition, the canopy will sit
on an apron of aluminium frames; which when viewed from the underside will form a skeletal
structure, further adding interest. This also harmonises with the proposal of the front canopy and
therefore, we envisage it to not look too out of character.
6.2
Purpose
The canopy will sit between the two extensions and provide a link between the 3 spaces on the
ground floor; the accommodation, the kitchen storage and the Langar Hall. Currently the volunteers
carry out tasks without a shelter at the rear of the Gurdwara, it would be ideal to have a covered
service yard for the deliveries for the Langar to be transported in. Most of the volunteers at the
Gurdwara are elderly and the committee members are concerned that whilst they are continuing
their tasks, they currently have to go out in harsh weather conditions, which is not ideal for the
elderly at the best of times.
The proposal of the canopy would also see the demolition of the Store area. In place of this, more
roof lights will be added at the top in order to allow maximum light to flood into the Langar Hall,
whilst also opening up the area on the ground floor. It is however important to note that the space
under the canopy will still be used as a delivery zone whereby there is still sufficient space for
vehicles to access the site and move around as well as park in the two spaces which are being
retained. In addition, we are not increasing the capacity and therefore this will not have an impact
on any aspect of the development.
6.3
Massing & Scale
The canopy’s layout and scale have been created by considering the site user`s needs from the
outset. As the scheme was developed, various options were considered in terms of its visual
impact on the surrounding area and also from strategic viewpoints. The canopy will cover
approximately 155 sq/m of the area of the site.
7.0
Conclusion
The proposal of the canopy will provide a sheltered area for formal procedures prior to making
duties at the Gurdwara easier and continuing with religious functions. Due to the two extensions on
the either sides of the building, the canopy will only be partially visible from the road. Therefore the
design of the canopy will not be detrimental to the surrounding environment and we hope it will be
received in a positive light by Coventry City Council.
8.0
List of Drawings
2012-0040-201
Existing Plans and Elevations
2012-0040-202
Proposed Plans and Elevations
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