EXCLUSIVE: Former Barclays Bank call centre sold for £3.35m

CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a former Barclays Bank call centre in Coventry into a school look likely to go ahead after the building and site was sold to an education trust for £3.35m.

Some local residents, councillors and businesses have fought the plans, arguing the scheme would encroach on precious green space.

But it appears their fight has been lost and the Seva School – a Sikh free school – will now be built on the site at Link House in Walsgrave Triangle.

Link House is a former Barclays Bank call centre but the plan would also involve building on some green land nearby.

Sevak Education Trust, which will run the school, applied for prior approval to change the use of the Link House building, in Eden Road, into a state funded school.

Its application stated that proposals include “some discreet external works to provide appropriate outdoor play areas and adequate parking and vehicular access”.

It is estimated that more than 1,400 students would be enrolled within the first five years.

Link House once accommodated 350 Barclays employees. Its closure was announced in November 2013.

Coventry property consultancy North Rae Sanders was the selling agent while Birmingham’s JLL bought the site on behalf of the education trust.