£75m Friar Gate transformation tipped to get the go-ahead
Derby City Council members are set to decide the future of the Friar Gate Goods Yard site in Derby.
The site has been vacant for almost 50 years and has negatively impacting the appearance of the city centre.
The joint landowners, Clowes Development and Wavensmere Homes presented plans last year to breathe new life into the abandoned property.
With an investment totalling £75m, their proposal aims to repurpose the space into a mixed-use area, featuring nearly 300 new homes, precisely 276 units.
As part of the proposal, the plan entails the restoration of two Grade II-listed buildings on the premises: the Bonded Warehouse and the Engine House, both of which have suffered fire damage and have been neglected for an extended period.
The structures are slated for transformation into commercial spaces, potentially accommodating new retail outlets, dining establishments, a fitness centre, and office spaces.
Upon completion, the scheme is expected to generate more than 300 job opportunities within the city.
Members of Derby City Council’s planning committee are scheduled to deliberate on the developers’ proposals at a meeting on Thursday, April 25th.
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “We are very pleased that this significant planning application will be considered by Derby City Council’s Planning Committee on the evening of Thursday 25th April.
“Alongside the drawings, our 3D model of the entirety of the Grade II listed Bonded Warehouse and Engine House enables us to clearly present how the buildings will be reanimated. The context of the eco-focused homes and several acres of new Public Open Space will be a much-needed catalyst for further urban regeneration. The fine attention to detail and bold investment we are set to inject in this £75m city centre landmark will see it become a nationally important trophy asset in Derby’s ongoing renaissance.”
If the plans receive the green light, Wavensmere Homes anticipates receiving formal planning approval in time to commence work on site this summer.
The Friar Gate Goods Yard site holds historical significance, once being part of the former Derby railway station, which ceased operations in the late 1960s.
It served as the primary goods depot for the Great Northern Railway line, handling various commodities such as coal, livestock, timber, and metals.
The Bonded Warehouse, constructed in 1870, featured extensive warehouse space and offices. Notably, during the Second World War, it served as a storage facility for the American Army, housing ammunition and other supplies.
However, the site has remained vacant for many years, and previous planning permissions for its development have lapsed for various reasons.
The plans have been recommended for approval by planning chiefs, subject to S106 negotiations.
