Richard Ledger, chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, has backed a decision by all members to cancel the proposed £6.93 million Derby Road junction project in favour of securing and enhancing other regeneration projects. Due to the complexity of the issues around these junctions and the current exceptional inflationary pressures, it has not proven possible to design a Derby Road Junctions project that is value for taxpayer’s money. It is proposed that the funding will instead be reallocated to secure three other key projects; Long Eaton High Street, Long Eaton Walking and Cycling Network, and the Stable Block Managed Workspace. This will include:

• An additional £3.43 million for the High Street project which will see a redesign and upgrade of the High Street with the aim being to enhance the public space by making it a more sociable space with seating and planting. The reallocated funding also enables an expansion in scope to include Tamworth Road.
• An additional £2.96 million for the walking and cycleway improvements which will include lighting along the cycleway within West Park and replacing the bridge which connects West Park to the town centre, as well as the construction of a new bridge on Britannia Road.
• An additional £540,000 for the Stable Block which will see the conversion of a former Stable Block next to Long Eaton Town Hall into modern office spaces and studios.

Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal, says: “Unfortunately there has been no alternative but to cancel the Derby Road Junctions project. Costs accelerated at a rate where we could no longer deliver this as a viable project, however we can now make the best use of the remaining funding by enhancing other Town Deal projects. These developments will benefit the residents of the town and deliver value for money.”

2023 will see the regeneration of Nottingham’s Southside “continuing apace,” according to the City Council, despite the setback of £20m of Levelling Up Funding for part of the Broad Marsh vision not being granted by Government. Work to start on Broad Marsh Green Heart The Broad Marsh site itself will see work start on the Green Heart element of the scheme later this year. This will see an area the size of the City Ground football pitch turned into a green urban park, complete with extensive planting and wetland/marsh areas, bringing nature into the heart of the city centre, along with walkways and what could be the longest bench in Europe. This will be created in the area where the western end of the former shopping centre has been demolished and cleared. Masterplanning to provide detailed proposals in line with the overall vision will also take place this year, with a number of highly regarded contenders lining up to take on this vital and exciting work. A major new study into rejuvenating the unique cave network underneath Broad Marsh and caves across the city centre is also due to be published by the University of Nottingham. And temporary uses for spaces to bring activity and businesses into the area will be progressed while the long-term development plans are being finalised. Family-friendly public space and unique area for skateboarding Linking to this are the streets immediately south of the shopping centre site. Work funded from a successful bid to the Government’s Transforming Cities fund will begin later this year turning Collin Street – previously a busy five-lane road through the city – into a pleasant family-friendly space with planting, seating and playable areas overlooked by the new library. Amphitheatre-style steps at the eastern end lead down to the area in front of the new Nottingham College building on Sussex Street, where more planting and seating have already transformed the space beneath the tram viaduct, which also now boasts a unique skateable space codesigned with local groups for skateboarders close to the City of Caves entrance and Nottingham Contemporary. Work is continuing to extend the segregated cycle lane and improved pedestrian access through the Broadmarsh area along Canal Street and London Road, linking to the Island Quarter in the east and Castle Boulevard in the west. New Central Library to open The fit-out of the new Central Library as part of the bus station and car park complex will be completed later this year, complemented by the Transforming Cities-funded public realm improvements along Carrington Street leading up to Collin Street, and the reduction in traffic along Canal Street, with its new east-west cycle lane. The library will feature a high-quality children’s library with an immersive story telling room, extensive book collection and comfortable areas to sit and read, as well as a café and exhibition and performance space. New buildings on Station Street Further south, the new Domestic & General office on the pedestrianised section of Station Street is nearing completion, while student accommodation takes shape on the other side of Nottingham Station on Queen’s Road and Traffic Waterway Street. Major Island Quarter development continues The Island Quarter is a significant development site with a masterplan in place which also missed out on Levelling Up Funding – but developers Conygar are committed to delivering their vision for the site. A new canalside bar and restaurant along with public square and event space has already opened and plans for a new hotel, private apartments, offices and bioscience laboratories are in the pipeline. New student accommodation is also under construction.

Investment also continues elsewhere across the city, including developing a new library in Sherwood, improvements to Bulwell bus station, over 350 new affordable homes currently under construction around the city towards a target of 1,000, roads, pavements and streets lights in every part of the city benefiting from improvements and upgrades, along with wider transport investment. City Council leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “While the news about our Levelling Up bids was undoubtedly disappointing, there’s a lot to be positive about, not only in terms of what’s planned for this part of the city, but what we’ve already achieved. “Arriving in the city from the station – itself and nearby Station Street improved a number of years ago – the two walking routes into the city centre are vastly improved, with Carrington Street and Sussex Street offering welcoming pedestrianised environments and the former barrier of Canal Street traffic reduced to buses, taxis and bikes. “The stunning new car park and bus station are fully operational, while new Nottingham College building not only looks striking but also brings students and life to the area. “This year will see our efforts continue apace. I’m excited to see the Green Heart start to take shape – the part of the Broad Marsh vision that most people said they want – and for more work to get underway to hone the vision into a deliverable blueprint for the whole site. Getting the new Central Library open and starting the new Collin Street public space plaza to link up the rest of the improved spaces will also be major milestones for the city this year. “Elsewhere we can see private developers showing their confidence in Nottingham, with the vision for the Island Quarter taking shape and new offices and accommodation being added to the city skyline.”

Property developer HBD will bring forward a further four buildings at Markham Vale as planning permission is approved for an additional 107,250 sq ft. The industrial and logistics scheme will see another six acres developed to deliver the new units, with the potential to create a further 150 jobs at the site. Sustainability will be a key focus for each of the new buildings, which will be designed to achieve BREEAM “Excellent” and will be available on either a freehold or a leasehold basis. Richard Hinds, senior development manager at HBD, said: “Markham Vale is one of the region’s most successful destinations for industrial, logistics and warehousing space so it’s great to be able to expand the scheme to meet demand for well-located Grade A space. “The decision to approve a further 107,000 sq ft is testament to the longstanding partnership between HBD and Derbyshire County Council and our commitment to continuing to progress crucial regeneration schemes like Markham Vale when the economic outlook is more challenging. “We are currently in discussion with several occupiers looking for bespoke design and build units and expect work to start on site in the second half of the year.” Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “This marks the beginning of another exciting chapter for Markham Vale which continues to prosper despite the difficulties of the current financial climate. We look forward to welcoming more businesses bringing more jobs in the future.”  Markham Vale is a 200-acre joint venture scheme between property developer HBD and Derbyshire County Council. It is one of the region’s flagship industrial schemes, attracting new businesses and creating a total of 2,702 new jobs to date. Just 11 acres now remain for development, accommodating a further 190,000 sq ft.

Independent homelessness charity Emmanuel House Support Centre has received planning permission from Nottingham City Council to change the use of the first and second floors of its premises on Goose Gate, Hockley, in the city centre. The scheme includes the creation of 20 bedrooms that will provide short-term emergency accommodation for people who find themselves homeless. The charity’s ground floor will continue to provide day support while the first and second floors will be converted into bedrooms providing 24-hour emergency care. Following the successful planning application, which was approved on Friday 27 January, phase one of the development will start in the coming months. The replacement of the support centre’s existing windows will be the first element of the development to be delivered. New double-glazed aluminium windows are currently being procured by the project team, which will significantly improve the thermal performance and aesthetic appearance of the building. Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “This is fantastic news for the charity as it means we’re one step closer to our ambition of providing short-term emergency respite care becoming a reality, contributing to reducing the number of people who are homeless in Nottingham.” The project team is made up of Nottingham suppliers such as architectural practice CPMG Architects, project managers EDGE, structural and civil engineers Hexa, and mechanical and electrical engineers Chord Consult. Steve Milan, associate at CPMG Architects, said: “The journey that Emmanuel House is embarking on has only just started, but an important milestone has been reached and we’re proud to be working within a highly skilled project team that cares about the city of Nottingham. We look forward to moving forward with the project and supporting with fundraising efforts.” Geoff Tindsley, director at EDGE, said: “We’re grateful to Nottingham City Council for its quick approval of a project set to significantly change homelessness support in Nottingham. Helping Emmanuel House make its new vision a reality has already been an exciting process to date, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work closely alongside the trustees and project team in this next phase, offering our expertise in any way we can.” Fundraising for the project, which is predicted to cost the charity £2 million, will start when the team has completed the preparatory work. James Garment, director at Hexa, said: “We’re incredibly pleased to be working with Emmanuel House on a scheme that will make such a difference to the local community. With the project involving significant remodelling of the internal layout of the existing building, collaboration across the project design team, which has a long-standing and proven record of delivering successful projects together, will ensure that the finished development really stands up to the charity’s vision.” Denis added: “We’re continuing to work with Nottingham City Council and our consultants before we can go out for funding. We have more work to do before we can start the crucial fundraising stages. The immediate need for Emmanuel House remains the significant task of raising vitals funds for our Winter Appeal, which will support people in crisis and at risk of homelessness over winter.”

Bellway has begun building 96 energy efficient homes at a new housing development in Ancaster.

The Willows is one of the first developments being delivered by the housebuilder’s Eastern Counties division where all homes will be fitted with environmentally friendly air-source heat pumps instead of gas boilers.

Construction work is now under way at the site off Wilsford Lane after South Kesteven District Council granted planning permission for the development in 2022.

The development will comprise 67 properties for private sale, including a range of three to four-bedroom houses, as well as 29 affordable homes for local people through shared ownership or low-cost renting.

There will also be a public open space, a play area and a green edge with a footpath around the site.

The heat pumps, which run on electricity instead of natural gas, consume significantly less energy and will enable homeowners to minimise their fuel bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

Rhiannon Jones, head of sales for Bellway Eastern Counties, said: “This development marks a significant step in our push for greater sustainability because it will be one of our first sites to exclusively feature homes supported by an eco-friendly heating system.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to future proof our homes, we are also providing electric vehicle charging points for all residents at The Willows to enable the switch away from petrol and diesel cars.

“We are expecting the development to be particularly popular with families due to the site’s proximity to Ancaster Church of England Primary School, which has been rated good by Ofsted and is located just half a mile from The Willows.

“Commuters will appreciate the good transport links, as the development is less than a mile from Ancaster railway station and just a 10-minute drive from the A15.”

Bellway is planning to release the first homes at The Willows onto the market in April 2023, with the first properties due to be completed later in the same year.