Wavensmere Homes and Clowes Developments’ £75m proposals for the redevelopment of the city’s historic Friar Gate Goods Yard have been given the green light by Derby City Council’s planning committee.
The proposals will see two Grade II-listed buildings transformed into 111,275 sq ft of commercial space and 276 new homes. In addition to flexible office space, health and fitness space and a restaurant/café, the site will also house a regional sales centre for Birmingham-headquartered Wavensmere Homes.
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “Receiving the green light at committee for the reanimation of this significant historic landmark has been six years in the making. There has been a tremendous amount of effort by our multi-disciplinary team – working alongside Tom Clowes and Tom Morley of Clowes Developments – to get to this fantastic result. It is very rare to have a such a large, primely located asset of this architectural quality that has lain derelict for so long – since 1972. Bringing it back into public use will have a transformational impact on Derby’s landscape, supported by much-needed attainable city centre housing.
“With the full support of the city council’s planning department and planning committee, we look forward to commencing the restoration and construction work – to fulfil our promise. The fine attention to detail and £75m investment we will inject in the reanimation of Friar Gate Goods Yard will see it become a nationally important trophy asset in Derby’s ongoing renaissance.”
Adam McPartland, director of Glancy Nicholls Architects, which drew up the plans for the site, added: “We are overjoyed that the required funds can now be invested into saving these distressed 150-year-old listed buildings. Glancy Nicholls Architects has proudly brought its expertise in restoration and retrofit design to visualise the sustainable future of two of Derby city centre’s most notable historic structures.
“From the outset, the overarching brief from Wavensmere Homes was for a huge emphasis to be placed on exemplary placemaking. By having a mix of commercial uses within the two buildings – and opening the inaccessible site up to create a series of new linear parks – hundreds of people will be able to appreciate these heritage assets on a daily basis.”
Wavensmere Homes expects to receive formal planning approval in time to commence work on site this summer. The company said it had already received “strong interest” from prospective operators of the health and fitness centre, office space, and the restaurant/café.
