Revised city centre redevelopment proposals given the green light

The latest version of ambitious plans for Hull’s Albion Square have been given the go-ahead by council planners.

Cabinet approved the development in December 2021, and since then demolition of the former BHS and Co-Op buildings site has been taking place, by VINCI Construction.

This is the second time plans, designed by Faulkner Browns Architects and landscape architects Gillespies, have been discussed at Hull City Council’s Planning Committee.

The development proposals have been altered from the first submission, in conjunction with discussions with stakeholders.

The latest approved plans incorporate flood mitigation measures and a reduction in the height of the residential accommodation in Bond Street to bring the height in line with buildings to the corner of Jameson and Bond Street.

Demolition is forecast to take a total of 80 weeks and includes the removal and renovation of three existing murals; the Grade II listed Three Ships Mural, Sponge Mural and Alan Boyson’s Shoal of Fish Mural which was successfully removed in the summer.

All three murals will be incorporated into the new development and construction is now expected to start in 2023.

Once complete, the scheme will feature a mixture of residential, office and retail space, as well as a large urban park.

It has been supported by £832,000 from Homes England and £7m worth of Levelling Up Funding, along with £2.5m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, which was secured by the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP as part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.