Residential plans revealed for former courthouse

A Nottingham property developer has bought Worksop landmark building with plans to turn into a residential scheme.

ALB Group has snapped up Worksop Magistrate’s Court on Peter Street in the north Nottinghamshire town.

ALB managing director Arran Bailey said: “We haven’t yet submitted our formal planning application but with nearly 7,500 sq ft of space available to us, the provisional plan is to transform the building into 13 high-spec one-bed apartments.”

He added: “The building sits just a few yards from Bridge Street’s colourful shopping thoroughfare, so it’s particularly well placed for that, with local cafes and restaurants on the doorstep, as well as easy access to the town’s train station.”

Worksop Magistrate’s Court, which was last used for a criminal case in 2014, has been part of an extensive closure programme throughout the UK, as the Ministry of Justice has sought to cover a third of its £1.2bn modernisation drive through the sale of courthouses.

Matthew Maiden, director at the Mansfield office of Banner Jones Solicitors provided legal advice on the deal.

He said: “As a legal firm, we had various dealings with Worksop Magistrate’s Court, before they wound it all down and transferred their cases to Mansfield, so we do feel some fondness for it.

“We’re therefore delighted to be involved with a company like ALB, who we know can move it forward and develop it in the right way – providing affordable housing for the people of Worksop, exactly where it’s most needed.”

Joint venture partner, Edward Hall added: “This is an instrumental building to Worksop situated on Potter Street and will add much needed accommodation into the community. The building will be converted to a high standard and we are looking forward to starting the project.”

Building work will begin as soon as planning has been granted, with a view to the new apartments hitting the market in the summer of 2022.