Green light for £30m redevelopment in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter
Plans for a £30m redevelopment of one of the last vacant plots in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter have been approved.
Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments will build 195 apartments in a nine-story, red-brick, u-shaped building on the Full Street site, which once housed a 1960s police station.
Hoping to create 150 jobs from its construction programme, the new apartment project will have a waterside location with views of Derby Cathedral and the nearby Museum of Making.
Along with the apartments, there will be 2,000 sq ft of mixed-use space on the ground floor, including a café and amenities like a gym, co-working area, and concierge service.
The ninth floor will have roof terraces for nine duplex apartments, with balconies overlooking Cathedral Green and the River Derwent.
The design includes communal staircases, courtyard parking, and secure bike storage.
It will also feature green energy elements, such as solar panels, to meet high energy efficiency standards and sustainability goals.
The site is near the River Derwent and was designed by Franklin Ellis Architects to complement the historic surroundings.
Phase One of the development was completed in 2016, including offices, apartments and a hotel.
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “This challenging brownfield site, which has lain vacant for over a decade, occupies one of the best locations within Derby city centre and benefits from rich views of the Cathedral Quarter and the River Derwent. The City Council’s planning committee took on board how our plans reflect stakeholder feedback and are within the confines of the extant office planning permission. Receiving the go-ahead will help Derby to meet the high demand for new homes – and improve its Five Year Housing Land Supply.
“As with nearby Nightingale Quarter and Friar Gate Goods Yard, we will construct an exemplary development, reflective of the prime gateway location. By appropriately densifying this derelict brownfield site, we will create highly energy-efficient homes for well over 200 people, who will then spend their time and circa £5m of disposable income per year locally. Prior to that, our construction programme will generate around 150 jobs. We look forward to continuing to work with Derby City Council to prepare for a start on site as soon as are able to.”