Miller Birch set to land Guildhall site

Nottingham City Council is set to choose developer Miller Birch to transform one of the most significant sites in the city centre.

The 410,000 sq ft Guildhall site, which includes the Guildhall, Fire Station House, Central Police Station and Central Fire Station – has long been earmarked for development.

Following a competitive land sale process, councillors are being recommended by their officers to select Miller Birch as its preferred bidder to buy the Guildhall Site. As part of the process, Miller Birch has included proposals to extend and refurbish The Guildhall as a four-star hotel and build a new 410,000sq ft mixed use development including offices and a conference centre.

The Council already owns the Guildhall building which it vacated when it consolidated a number of offices at its Loxley House headquarters six years ago. It has now exchanged contracts with the Police and Fire Authorities to acquire their buildings once empty. A new fire station is being built on London Road and Byron House on Maid Marian Way is being refurbished to be occupied by the Police. Council emergency planning staff and the Community Protection service will relocate along with fire and police personnel to the new facilities.

City Council deputy leader and portfolio holder for resources and neighbourhood regeneration, councillor Graham Chapman, said: “This is a key city centre site we’ve long had ambitions for and I’m pleased we’re now in a position to see the whole site developed. At Executive Board on 22 March, we are recommended to select a developer with a good track record who we believe will deliver an excellent scheme which will provide top class facilities and a real boost this end of the city.

“Now that the Council owns the whole site and action is underway to relocate personnel from the existing buildings, I’m hopeful we’ll start to see progress on this scheme soon.”

Mark Bielby, development director of Miller Birch said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Nottingham City Council in the delivery of what will be one of the largest developments ever seen in Nottingham and will contribute significantly to the economic prosperity of the city. We were pleased to deliver Trinity House, the new regional offices for Eon on the adjacent site and are pleased to continue the success on the adjoining site.”