Former Derby church set for new lease of life as office space
An empty 19th-century church in Derby that has been vacant for six years could be revitalised.
Nine Mile Properties is seeking permission from Derby City Council to transform the Chester Green Methodist Church on Mansfield Street, along with its adjoining small structures, into office spaces for rent.
The church, initially built in 1889 and used as a Methodist church for 134 years, ceased operation in June 2017.
If plans are approved, it will be essential to address maintenance needs due to damp issues in various areas, including a roof collapse in one of the buildings.
A planning statement says: “The proposed scheme aims to revitalise a long-vacant Seventh Day Adventist Church. Our assessment has determined that converting it into Class E office spaces would effectively serve the needs of the local community while offering a financially viable and sustainable solution for the building and our client.
“Our proposal envisions a versatile layout that can be easily adapted to accommodate the specific needs of various businesses. This adaptable layout provides potential investors with the flexibility to customise the size and number of offices they intend to lease, thus making it a more attractive property. The pandemic has prompted a significant surge in working from home, resulting in an increased demand for local rentable office spaces.
“Capitalising on its advantageous location, its walking distance from the city centre, and with direct links to the city ring road, this proposal aims to address the growing demand for office spaces in the broader city area and specifically in the closer Chester Green area. Our design proposal not only revitalises a disused building but also envisions a sustainable, functional and community-oriented transformation that aligns with contemporary work trends and respects the historical context of the site.”
Derby City Council aims to reach a final decision on the plans by the end of the year, with a target date set for December 13th.
