Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments have submitted revised plans for the redevelopment of one of the final plots of vacant land within Derby’s newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter. 195 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments are now proposed for the Full Street site, within a redesigned finely detailed u-shaped nine-storey red brick building. The revised plans address concerns from stakeholders, with a reduction in the height of the proposed development tabled to bring it within the confines of the extant office planning permission. The top/ninth floor has been redesigned with a discreet glazed curtain wall, set-back by 1.5m to create full roof terraces. The stepped roofline – and loss of four apartments alongside the riverside elevation – will enable the proposed development to blend in with the existing adjacent residential building. The revised dwelling mix introduces studio apartments and two-bedroom duplex homes, along with fully glazed cantilevered balconies to all plots overlooking Cathedral Green and the River Derwent. The 0.2Ha site is bounded by Full Street to the west and the River Derwent to the east. Measuring approximately 50m wide by 50m long, the site was previously occupied by a police station, which was constructed in the 1960s and demolished in 2013. Phase One of Wilson Bowden’s Full Street development was completed in 2016. It includes the refurbishment of the Riverside Chambers office complex, delivery of 46 new apartments at Number One Cathedral Green, and a Premier Inn hotel. This remaining parcel of land had been earmarked for an office development of up to 100,000 sq ft, but is instead being brought forward by Wavensmere Homes for an apartment scheme, benefiting from a waterside location, with views of the 16^th Century Derby Cathedral and its 212ft tower. Also lying adjacent to the site is the Museum of Making at the restored Derby Silk Mill, which re-opened to the public in 2021. The Full Street residential development proposals are designed to complete the jigsaw of this prime Derby city centre site by providing dual aspect landscaped public realm over Cathedral Green, whilst enhancing activity at street level. Nottingham-based Franklin Ellis Architects has drawn up the revised plans, inspired by the traditional architecture and heritage assets within the vicinity. In addition to the apartments, 2,000 sq ft of mixed-use space has been accommodated at ground floor level to overlook Cathedral Green and Full Street. A range of uses are earmarked for this space, including a new café and residential facilities such as a gymnasium, co-working zone, and concierge point. James Dickens, Managing Director of Birmingham-based Wavensmere Homes, said: “This challenging brownfield site occupies one of the best locations within Derby city centre and benefits from rich views of the Cathedral Quarter and the River Derwent. “It has been vacant for 10 years and the opportunity to create an exemplary development, reflective of the prime gateway location is exciting. “Our proposed scheme will help towards Derby City Council’s target to provide a minimum of 11,000 new homes throughout the city over the coming decade. “By appropriately densifying this derelict brownfield site within such a prized and popular city location, we will create highly energy-efficient homes for well over 250 people who will then spend their time and disposable income locally. “We look forward to continuing to work with Derby City Council’s Officers, Councillors, and wider stakeholders, as our revised plans are considered.” The plans for the Full Street site include two communal staircases, courtyard car parking provision and secure bicycle spaces. The latest green energy features will be incorporated into the design for the new homes, to enable a high EPC rating to be targeted, whilst exceeding the new Part L building regulations. The scheme will promote sustainable development through the use of low carbon materials, modern methods of construction, and renewable energy generation via roof mounted solar PV panels. Matthew Branton, Managing Director of Franklin Ellis Architects, said: “Throughout the design process, our team has been conscious of the need for this proposed development to carefully close the wider urban block and positively front Full Street, Cathedral Green and the waterside, improving the safety, attractiveness, and animation of the adjacent public areas. “We have taken a context led approach to a layered facade design, incorporating quality detailing and a refined material palette, whilst paying homage to the surrounding architecture and heritage assets, ensuring the Cathedral is always the star of the show. “Since first submitting plans last October, we have spent considerable time refining the design and generating these revised plans, which address stakeholder feedback.”

Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed the latest scheme for Ascott Transport Limited (ATL) at their Midlands Hub in Foston, Derbyshire, as part of a major eight-figure investment project.

The development, which is the second project that G F Tomlinson has constructed for ATL, includes a new 127,000 sq ft warehouse with 14 loading bays, offices, welfare rooms and external concrete yards and roads.

The modern facility will enable ATL to meet increased demand from both new and existing clients as part of their strategic expansion plans.

The first phase of the development, which allowed the company to almost double its Midlands operating capacity, included a 190,000 sq ft high-bay warehouse, three-storey gatehouse, high-spec offices, workshop, outside storage, and parking facilities.

The addition of the new warehouse not only expands ATL’s operational capacity but also cements its position as a major logistics and storage hub in the Midlands.

Technological innovations within the building included the warehouse’s internal floor, which was designed and constructed with no joints, to facilitate the smooth movement of semi and fully automated MHE throughout the warehouse.

The development also boasts a number of sustainable features including photovoltaic panels, which will generate enough solar power to sufficiently supply the warehouse’s energy requirements, and their recent investment into electric trucks, along with 400mm thick walls and roof to create a thermally stable warehouse and increased insulation to the office areas.

During the project, a pre-cast retaining wall was infilled on-site using surplus soil, reducing waste and transportation costs. An attenuation pond adjacent to the warehouse was also created to hold the site’s surface water to prevent flooding.

Andy Sewards, Chairman of G F Tomlinson, said: “Building on our long-standing relationship with ATL, it’s been a privilege to be part of the next phase of their growth plans. We’re pleased to have reached this completion milestone, which reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality projects that contribute positively to the communities we serve.”

Pete Ascott, Managing Director of ATL, said: “G F Tomlinson have been a consistent partner for us throughout this journey and both phases of the development have been a great success. The second phase adds a further 21,000 pallet storage capacity to our portfolio so now, with the development complete, we can begin our extensive growth plans and support our clients with industry leading quality warehousing space.”

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold a development site with planning permission for an 81-bedroom care home in Clay Cross, Derbyshire. The scheme, delivered by Minton Care Ltd, has been prepared for an 81-bedroom, three-storey care home development with an anticipated GIA of circa 4,568 sqm, equating to 56.3 sqm per resident. The care home has been designed to comprise a number of resident amenities including all en suite bedrooms, a range of lounge and dining spaces, a hair salon, a gym, a library, a cinema and activity room, a café, and landscaped gardens. Following a confidential sales process by Christie & Co, the site has been purchased by LNT Care Developments which has plans to complete the home in 2025. Keeley Sharp, Strategic Land Director at LNT Care Developments, says: “We are delighted to be developing a 66-bed LNT care home in Derbyshire this year. “Once complete in Q2 of 2025, the luxury facility will provide a much-needed choice of quality care for the surrounding communities whilst complementing our existing and emerging pipeline within the region.” Sara Hartill, Associate Director – Healthcare Investment & Development at Christie & Co, says: “After a competitive marketing process, we are delighted to have sold this market-leading site in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, to LNT. “The site benefits from a superb location within the town and will undoubtedly provide excellent care for the local community. We look forward to visiting the finished scheme in due course and working with Minton Care Ltd going forward as they bring further quality care development opportunities to the market.” The development site was sold for an undisclosed price.

Members of the development team and key stakeholders came together to celebrate the topping-out of a new student residential scheme in Derby. The scheme, which is being developed by the Derby-based Berry Group, comprises of 44 student studios on the corner of Slack Lane and Uttoxeter Old Road in the city. The topping-out ceremony marks the milestone of reaching the highest point in the construction of this project, which involves the erection of a contemporary three-storey student block with a GDV of circa £5m+. The scheme represents the group’s first new build student accommodation venture in Derby. Clearing of the site commenced in January 2023 and was followed by ground-breaking ceremony in May 2023. Construction work is progressing as planned, with the building expected to be completed by the end of July 2024, ready occupation in September 2024. Commenting on the topping out event on the Slack Lane site, Sam Berry, director of Berry Group, said: “Today’s topping-out ceremony is an immense step towards the completion of our exciting student residential scheme in Derby. “The team have worked extremely hard to ensure this scheme will create contemporary student accommodation which enhances the local residential area.” Director Sarah Clowes added: “Today’s event signifies a major milestone in the Berry Group’s on-going commitment to driving positive change and growth in Derby’s property landscape. We look forward to delivering high-quality accommodation for the city’s students.”

Renewable energy company, GeoGreen Power Ltd has let Unit A Bradmore Business Park in Bunny. The property comprises a detached two storey office building situated within a Parkland Campus to the south of Nottingham. Bradmore Business Park comprises three sister buildings that were developed in 2011, all consisting of modern detached office space. FHP let Unit A Bradmore Business Park, which it says generated a strong level of enquiries with the majority of interest leaning more towards a floor-by-floor option of circa 3,000 sq ft, which seems to evidentially be in strong demand for ‘out-of-town’ business park floor space requirements. Ideally, FHP wanted one occupier to take the whole space available to make it more of an attractive option for its client, although they were open to either. “We were delighted when GeoGreen Power Ltd came along and expressed their interest in the whole property,” FHP noted. “After viewing the suite only once, they were already set that this was the office for them as the characteristics of the building appealed to them and their type of occupation. Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, added: “It was a great result in the end for both our client and GeoGreen Power. The demand for ‘out-of-town’ office space especially in this size bracket is not as high as it once was, so it was a great result to secure a deal so quickly and complete on the legals within four weeks of being under offer. “This property is an example that if a landlord maintains their property well and offers high quality modern office space then the demand is still there and prospective tenants are keen to move. “GeoGreen Power Ltd had only recently started their office search but had not yet come across one that suited their needs and ultimately fell in love with Bradmore Business Park on their first viewing and I wish them all the best on continuing their journey. “We are witnessing demand increasing for offices situated within business parks, with accessibility being a key requirement alongside ample car parking making it attractive for employees and accessible. I am excited to see what this year brings with the office market as in recent months we have seen a rise in take up.”

A commercial property agent has relocated to a brand-new office just a free kick away from the site of one of the firm’s most memorable deals.

Salloway Property Consultants, which specialises in the sale, letting and management of commercial and industrial property together with providing strategic advice on development land, has purchased premises in Royal Scot Road, on Pride Park.

Founded by lifelong Derby County fan Stephen Salloway, the company was responsible for the sale of the Baseball Ground in the 1990s, paving the way for the creation of Pride Park Stadium itself, and the 100,000 sq ft Soccer Dome which it pre-let to JJB Sports.

The new office is designed to allow Salloway to grow the property management side of the business and expand its land development division with both areas becoming increasingly popular with clients.

Staff have worked together to create a contemporary, user-friendly office space, specifically designed to enhance the teamworking ethos which has been the cornerstone of the firm’s success. Managing Director Stephen said: “We have been based on Pride Park since 2005 when we were the very first commercial property agent to move here. But of course, our association with Pride Park goes back in further than that with our links to the stadium and soccer dome.

“With such strong links to the area, it seems very fitting that the future of our company is being shaped so close to the site of a deal that was really significant in our history.

“Since then, Pride Park has gone from strength to strength and is now seen as one of the region’s most successful business parks with a variety business, leisure and residential users sharing the same address in a fully integrated manner. Many of the property enquiries we receive have already determined that Pride Park is their favoured location.

“Obviously Covid was a shock to the market giving rise to the work-from-home and hybrid-working concepts, but we can sense the resurgence – people want the experience of going out to work. We feel that with our own staff too which is why we have invested in a new office.

“It was certainly all hands to the pump at times but that turned the move into a team-building exercise, which I dare say was quite fun at times. There is little doubt that the move has refreshed and energised us all which is timely as the market, like the economy, starts to re-emerge from the doldrums of high interest rates and we are seeing a marked increase in demand for our services.”

Notts County’s plans for a new Fan Zone called ‘The Nest’ have been granted conditional permission. The proposals relate a commercial unit on Iremonger Road in Nottingham, near the Meadow Lane ground, which will be used as a facility to meet before and after matches, selling food and drink from a bar and street food traders, and including a giant television screen showing football matches. It will also be utilised as a multi-purpose events space for leisure, entertainment and community use. Notts County said the site will “improve the overall community experience” on match days and several non-match days throughout the year. The previous tenant was East Midlands Fabrications Ltd, who produced general steel fabrications and architectural metalwork. The site offers 12,000 sq ft of indoor space complemented by a large outdoor area. Notts County want to develop a space like that seen at Box Park in Wembley, the Rapidz Fan Zone at Burnley FC, and City Square at Manchester City FC.

Plans to transform the Antibo building in Nottingham into student accommodation have been granted conditional permission. The proposals for 54-60 Lower Parliament Street involve the conversion, extensive restoration and upward extension of the former commercial premises into student residence. The building dates back to the 1940’s and was originally constructed as a department store. It was most recently home to the Chez Coor restaurant on the ground floor, with accommodation on the upper floors. The site has since been derelict and found to be associated with anti-social behaviour and illegal activity. Kexgill Ltd is behind the new scheme, which will provide 49 student bedrooms with associated amenity spaces as well as commercial and office space.