‘Strongest possible objection’ to nine-storey apartment block in Derby

A proposal for a nine-storey apartment block on one of the last vacant plots in the Cathedral Quarter’s Full Street has faced opposition from Derby Civic Society members, who express the “strongest possible objection,” citing concerns that it would disrupt Derby’s historic skyline.

Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments have submitted the planning application, for a scheme called Cathedral One, to Derby City Council.

The development, comprising 186 one- and two-bedroom apartments, also features amenities like a gym, co-working space, a concierge point, and a ground floor café.

However, despite assertions from Franklin Ellis Architects that it has “dedicated numerous months to refining the design and creating comprehensive plans in collaboration with the council’s design and heritage review panels,” the civic society holds the view that the apartment building would “permanently damage the surroundings of the grade I listed Cathedral and the Silk Mill Gates, as well as the grade II listed Derby Silk Mill and 3, College Place,” all situated in a conservation area and within the buffer zone of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

The designated location, bordered by the River Derwent on one side, was formerly occupied by a 1960s police station, which was demolished in 2013.

The initial phase of Wilson Bowden’s Full Street development concluded in 2016, involving the renovation of the Riverside Chambers office complex, the construction of 46 new apartments at Number One Cathedral Green, and the establishment of a Premier Inn hotel.

A letter of objection has been sent to city council planners as part of the consultation period on the application. It said: “It is this society’s considered contention that the height of the development would wreck the historic skyline of Derby, particularly from the east, challenging the dominance of the Cathedral tower – a regional landmark – the east end of the church which lies less than 100 metres from the nearest portion of the development.

“The sheer assertiveness and bulk of the proposed development, instead of respecting the setting of the historic Cathedral, directly challenges it, but without any of the architectural finesse and high-quality design, which should accompany any attempt to build on the site.

“We wish to lodge our complete objection and opposition to the scheme in its present form. The society feels that this important and very prominent site would benefit from a much more modest redevelopment scheme designed to a markedly high quality of concept, design, massing and detail.”

The council’s planning control committee is expected to reach a decision on the planning application within the next two to three months.