Housing and environment

Localities and neighbourhoods

Why is this important?

The quality of the built and natural environment, such as the local neighbourhoods, access to local shops, services, parks and green spaces, affect the health and wellbeing of everyone.

What is the local picture? How does it compare?

Satisfaction with Foleshill and Longford is lower than the city average, with 50% of residents satisfied in 2022, down from 78% in 2018, and below Coventry’s 66%. According to the Coventry Household Survey 2022, Foleshill West saw the biggest drop, from 83% to 35%, one of the lowest in the city. Additionally, 43% of people surveyed thought their area had got worse to live in compared to 28% citywide, with Foleshill West (54%) and Longford (51%) reporting the highest dissatisfaction.

Residents in Foleshill ward have significantly less access to green space than residents in Longford. The Green Space Strategy 2019 -2024 shows there is considerable variation in the amount of green space by ward across Coventry, the average per ward is 62.3 hectares. Residents of Foleshill ward only have access to 11.4 hectares while residents in Longford ward enjoy access to 84.1 hectares.

Across the city, the average level of unrestricted green space is 3.05 hectares per 1,000 population (based on data from 2017). Foleshill ward has the lowest level across the city with an average level of 0.50. Longford ward has an average level of 4.23 hectares per 1,000 population and was the 6th highest out of the 18 wards in Coventry. The table below shows the green space quantity by type and ward.

Table: Green space quantity by primary type and Coventry ward, hectares per 1,000 population

Fandl airpollution

Source: Coventry Green Space Strategy 2019-2024, Coventry City Council

Foleshill ward scores are low and below the average for Coventry in all categories. Longford ward scores are better and above average for Coventry but below average in outdoor sports facilities and allotments.

Foleshill and Longford have poorer air quality than Coventry's average, mainly due to major roads and traffic emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM). Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to the public’s health and has a harmful impact on the health of people living, working, and studying within Coventry. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the pollutants of concern, and ‘diffusion tubes’ are deployed to measure levels at various roadside locations in Coventry, in 2022, 75 locations were measured. NO2 levels were measured at 11 roadside locations in Foleshill and Longford, all were below the former 40 µg/m3 standard but above the new 10 µg/m3 guideline. While not the highest in the city, the measurements taken at these 11 locations were higher than most others in the city.  NO2 levels in Foleshill and Longford are among the highest 20% in the country, air quality is poorer in Foleshill than Longford.  An alternative measure, estimated annual NO2 levels by neighbourhood presented in the ‘Shape Atlas’ tool from the Department of Health and Social Care, also indicates NO2 levels to be higher than average for the city but not the very highest. It also shows that particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels are also among the highest in the city.

The Local Air Quality Action Plan (LAQAP) has been based on air quality and traffic monitoring data and modelling, and the package of measures focusses on improving NO2 levels at those locations where particular problems have been identified, one of these is based in the area: Foleshill Road, the other is Holyhead Road.

In the 2021 Census, 67.5% of households in Foleshill and Longford had access to a car or van, meaning 32.5% did not - higher than Coventry's average (27.6%) and England's (23.5%). Despite fewer households using cars, the area has high vulnerability to air pollution, much of which is traffic-related, highlighting an inequality in exposure.

What else is happening? What else can be done?

On Foleshill Road, traffic management measures will be introduced to remove through traffic, which will be encouraged to use the A444 to access the city centre instead. The Transport Strategy has 4 broad objectives, two of which are to deliver a sustainable, low carbon transport system and maximise health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.

Despite lower levels of car ownership in Foleshill and Longford, parking was identified as a particular problem for the area.

“I'd like there to be a community feel in Longford, events going on in our parks, safe to walk at night, clean streets and tackling speeding drivers and dirt bikes.”

Green spaces can bring communities together, reduce loneliness and mitigate the negative effects of air pollution, excessive noise, heat and flooding, however dangerous parking and fly tipping have been highlighted by residents as a cause for concern. There is opportunity to work with communities to protect and improve existing green space and create new ones in areas most in need, with one resident suggesting the need to consider “Plan developments carefully so they focus on improving the local area rather than building on every available space.”

The area could be improved by ensuring that the local environment is clean and attractive for residents which will encourage people to enjoy their local spaces. It is thought that this would make Foleshill and Longford a more attractive place to live “Attract customers by tidying up the litter and mess in the streets.”

“Prioritise improving our local communities with clean streets, well cared for parks maybe supporting local residents to set up community groups (e.g., Friends of Longford Park).” 

Protecting the environment is important to residents in Foleshill and Longford, there are concerns over the loss of mature trees and creating isolated green spaces. The Urban Forestry Strategy consultation revealed that the residents of Foleshill and Longford value the protection, projects, and procedures related to the urban forest in Coventry. They also proposed some ideas for achieving these themes, such as engaging the community, identifying suitable locations to plant more trees, and restoring the River Sowe. However, concerns were expressed over the loss of mature trees, the effects of development, and the need to maintain biodiversity and connectivity. Respondents felt that the strategy should be consistent with the local plan and the net gain principles, and that it should avoid planting monocultures.

Initiatives to reduce air pollution and facilitate more active transport overlap considerably and there is opportunity for closer working across health, air quality improvement initiatives and transport to better meet the needs of residents. In Coventry, the main air quality issues identified and being addressed by the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) process relate to residential properties that are near major arterial routes in the city, which experience high levels of congestion. Currently identified hotspots include sections of Holyhead Road, Walsgrave Road, Foleshill/Longford Road, Stoney Stanton Road and at certain junctions along the A45.

Suggestions from residents have been to improve public transport by ensuring that there are “More frequent and later running bus services... No one is going to ditch their car for such a poor public transport offering…”  or ensuring more people use public transport by providing “Incentives to switch to bikes or electric vehicles (using said solar panels).

Measures to improve pedestrian crossings, provide a high-quality cycleway and improve bus service reliability are to be introduced along the Foleshill Road in Coventry under a £4.5 million investment in sustainable transport. The package will be used to encourage more people to cycle, walk or take the bus for their journeys contributing to a greener and better-connected city. The measures include a high-quality segregated cycleway along the Foleshill Road, extending south to the A4053 ring road at Junction 9. The scheme will also aim to reduce through traffic using Foleshill Road and improve bus journeys as part of the All Electric Bus City scheme, which will see all buses in Coventry become zero-emission by 2025.

Upgrades to the A444 Blue Ribbon roundabout will, with new crossings, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and allow bus priority to further support public transport. Some measures will be taken to reduce pavement parking in the area to further improve safety.

Offering incentives to residents to encourage them to recycle could be an effective way to raise awareness of the benefits and ensure more residents recycle. Residents in Foleshill and Longford commented on the One Coventry Plan engagement that in order to achieve the commitment to “tackling the causes and consequences of climate change” there is a need to incentivise recycling “Make more recycling units and ensure that shops are doing what they can to become less dependent on one time use goods. Offer incentives to use own bags.”

“Better recycling system. Programs that encourage people to participate in tackling the causes and consequences of climate change.”

Housing and homelessness

Why is this important?

Historically, housing is only considered in relation to health in terms of support to help vulnerable people to live healthy, independent lives and reduce the pressure on families and carers. However, it is now recognised that good quality housing for all leads to better health and wellbeing, as it indirectly affects early years outcomes, educational achievement, economic prosperity, and community safety.

Conversely, rough sleeping and homelessness significantly impacts on a person’s mental and physical health, and the longer someone experiences rough sleeping, the more likely they will develop additional mental and physical health needs, develop substance misuse issues and have contact with the criminal justice system.

What is the local picture? How does it compare?

The 2021 Census showed that Home ownership in Foleshill and Longford is lower than the Coventry average (46.3% vs. 57.4%), while private renting is higher (32.5% vs. 24.7%) and socially rented only slightly higher than the city average (20% vs 17%). Terraced housing is slightly more prevalent in Foleshill and Longford compared to Coventry overall, making up 43.9% of households compared to 39.9% across the city overall. 26.6% of households are semi-detached (Coventry 30.0%), 13.5% are flats (Coventry 15.7%) and 12.4% detached (Coventry 11.6%).

House prices are also lower, The House Price Statistics for Small Areas (HPSSAs), produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that the mean average price of houses sold in Foleshill and Longford in the year ending September 2022 was £170,500 compared to £235,700 citywide. Homes in the area are more affordable, a rough indication of how affordable the homes in the area are to its residents is given by looking at the ratio of the average annual household income, described above in the Prospects chapter, to average house prices. This gives a ratio of 4.7 in Foleshill and Longford compared to 5.7 across Coventry overall; buying a house in this area appears more affordable than for most other areas in the city. Recent house price increases have generally been lower in Foleshill and Longford than average. In the last year the average price of houses sold reduced by 2% compared to a 4% increase across Coventry overall. Over the last four years, since the year ending September 2018, average prices of houses sold in the area have increased by 8% compared to a 20% increase across Coventry overall.

However, overcrowding is more common, with 11.5% of households affected versus 7.7% citywide, especially in Foleshill East(15.1%) and West(14.4%). A house is defined as overcrowded if there are too few rooms for the number of occupants based on standards of a minimum number of common rooms and bedrooms needed for the size and composition of the household. Additionally, 30.9% of households have four or more people, above the city average of 23.1%.

The 2021 Census showed that in Foleshill and Longford, 30.9% of the households had 4 or more people in them compared to the Coventry average of 23.1%. 54.1% of households in Foleshill and Longford had 3 or more bedrooms, lower than the Coventry average of 64.6%.

Fuel poverty, which is influenced by energy prices, incomes, and housing quality, is high in Foleshill and Longford. This is measured using 2021 data, a time before the significant increase in energy bills impacted on households - the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on communities across the city is yet to be fully realised, as people face rapidly rising energy, fuel, food, and housing costs. In 2021 fuel poverty was more prevalent in Coventry than in the region or England, Coventry had the 4th highest fuel poverty rate of all local authority areas in England. The Coventry average was 20.8% and the England average was 13.1%. 32.6% households in Foleshill and Longford were in fuel poverty, much higher than the Coventry average. Rates are particularly high in Foleshill East (42.9%) and Foleshill West (40.2%), whereas it is lower than average in Longford (17.7%).
 
The city has high and increasing levels of homelessness, many parts of Foleshill and Longford have particularly high levels, as indicated by data on homelessness applications from Coventry City Council. In 2022/23 there were 293 homelessness applications made to Coventry City Council from people living in Foleshill and Longford, a significant increase from the 197 applications made in 2018/19. These are people who made an application and were assessed as being homeless or at risk of being becoming homeless and assigned to the area based on their last settled address. The rate of homelessness or at risk of becoming homelessness per 1,000 households in Foleshill and Longford was 24.0 in 2022/23, significantly higher than the overall city rate of 14.6. The trends in the area are similar to those for the city overall, increasing and notably higher than four years previously before the pandemic, 2018/19; although rates of increase have slowed in the last two years. Rates are particularly high in Foleshill East and Foleshill West, amongst the highest in the city at 29.0 and 28.1 per 1,000 residents respectively in 2022/23.

What else is happening? What else can be done?

Social housing provides long term homes that enable people to settle, residents raised concerns about the system in acquiring accommodation, the quality of the homes and the types of people that are entitled to them. Residents in Longford raised this as a concern, with some comments suggesting a need to “Build more social housing and improve the quality of what's available. Too many people live in poor quality homes and expensive private rentals.” and others suggesting a need to “Improve housing I think the council housing system should be better”. Better social housing contributes to stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities which benefit health outcomes for its residents and society.

Threats to health and wellbeing are exacerbated by the increased costs associated with keeping homes warm, dry, and ventilated sufficiently over the colder months of the year and potential intermittent shortages in energy supply.  Cold homes are recognised as a source of both physical and mental ill health, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, respiratory illness, falls and accidents.

The Council has been proactive in supporting the most vulnerable residents access support through a series of initiatives. Coventry City Council have commissioned local energy charity Act on Energy to deliver its Keeping Coventry Warm Scheme. Keeping Coventry Warm provides Coventry residents with free energy saving advice and information.

The household support fund is also a way to provide residents with support for essentials linked to energy and water in recognition that a range of costs may arise that directly affect a households’ ability to afford or access food energy and water.

Crime and community safety

Why is this important?

Being a victim of crime, and being worried about crime, impacts on a person’s perception of their quality of life in the neighbourhood and has a negative effect on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.

What is the local picture? How does it compare?

Crime rates in Foleshill and Longford are consistently higher than the city average and have risen by 70% since 2017/18, compared to Coventry’s 65% increase. In 2022/23, the area recorded 5,146 crimes (149.8 per 1,000 population), above the city average of 124.6. In the most recent year the crime rate for the whole area remained at the same level as it was in 2021/22, whereas it increased across Coventry overall by 5%. 

The main reason for the overall rise in crime in the last 5 years is that there have been more crimes recorded under the category ‘Violence and sexual offences’, which has the highest number of crimes in any category. This pattern is true for Foleshill and Longford as well as for the whole of Coventry; in 2022/23, 2,334 crimes in this category were recorded in Foleshill and Longford. What stands out is, although crime rates in this area are above the city average for most types of crime, the gap between violent crime rates in this area and the city average is bigger than for other types of crime; the rate of ‘Violence and sexual offences’ is especially high at 67.9 per 1,000 population compared to 51.6 for the whole of Coventry. Crime rates in the area are highest in Foleshill East at 181.8 per 1,000 population and lowest in Longford at 122.3 per 1,000 population.

There were 128 incidents of Hate Crime recorded in Foleshill and Longford between September 2022 and October 2023, this indicates it is more prevalent than the Coventry average in this area, amounting to a rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents compared to 2.8 for Coventry overall.

The Coventry Serious Violence Strategic Needs Assessment 2023 highlights Foleshill ward as having relatively high rates of knife crime and possession of weapons in 2022/23.  Although the volume of such crimes is relatively small among the total recorded ‘Violence and sexual offences’ in the area, with 97 recorded crimes in 2022/23, Foleshill ward is highlighted as having the 2nd highest rate of knife crime out of all 18 Coventry wards, and it has increased by more here over the previous three years than it has in most other wards. Foleshill ward also has the 2nd highest rate of weapons possession, with 95 recorded crimes in 2022/23.

The proportion of residents in Foleshill and Longford who feel safe during both the day and night is significantly lower than the Coventry average. In the 2022 Household Survey, only 57% of residents surveyed in Foleshill and Longford felt safe during the day compared to the Coventry average of 77%. This has been a significant decrease from the 2018 survey where 92% of residents in Foleshill and Longford felt safe.

37% of residents said they felt safe after dark this is also lower than the Coventry average of 45%. It is similarly much lower than the 71% of the Foleshill and Longford residents who were surveyed in the Household Survey 2018 who said they felt safe in their neighbourhood at night. Foleshill West, Longford and Foleshill East were all in the bottom half for residents who feel safe during the day and after dark.  

What else is happening? What else can be done?

A more visible police presence could act as a deterrent for crime and promote community cohesion. Residents in Longford suggested “more police patrols to make the areas safe” this would not only deter criminal activity but create a sense of security and trust within the community, enabling residents to become more engaged and feel safer.

Fly tipping and illegal parking were also of concern to residents in Foleshill and Longford. One resident noted that “The area really suffers from fly-tipping, especially abandoned shopping trollies ... There is a lot of anti-social behaviour such as motorbikes speeding along roads and through the park. There is also ASB from Longford Park car park with people playing loud music in their cars …”