Jun 18 2007
Plans to transform part of Derby city centre with a £16m mixed used scheme have been welcomed by Derby Cityscape, the urban regeneration company spearheading the £2 bn regeneration of the city centre.
The site in Bold Lane, in the shadow of Derby Cathedral, was bought in 2004 by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) on behalf of Derby Cityscape as the URC’s first strategic acquisition. The site is now being delivered by blueprint.
blueprint, is a Limited Partnership.( The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) has a 25% share, English Partnerships a 25% share and igloo a 50% share) , blueprint represents a unique marriage of the public and private sectors. By stimulating and delivering sustainable and well designed development the partnership will assist the East Midlands to deliver the regions social and economic agendas as well as acting as a device through which partners, such as Derby Cityscape and other public sector bodies can deliver their physical regeneration plans including sourcing new premises for business/commercial occupiers.
blueprint has appointed, through a design competition with Derby Cityscape London-based architects Ash Sakula to redevelop the site in line with Derby Cityscape’s development Masterplan for the area.
A planning application is due to be submitted by the end of the year and, if successful, work could be completed by summer 2009.
The first phase of development will involve the demolition of the former Prince’s Supermarket and creating a 87,000 sq ft development incorporating six or seven shops with café bars and 24 flats above complete with ecology-friendly roof gardens.
An alleyway will be built between the buildings leading to an area earmarked for a future development and centring on a new public open space, Sadler Square, which will be a focal point for further leisure, residential and office space linked by a series of meandering lanes.
Derby Cityscape Chief Executive John Cadwallader said: “We recognised from the outset that the Prince’s supermarket site would be key to transforming this area in the city’s historic Cathedral Quarter, and the mixed use of this site is perfectly in tune to service the proposed commercial property, residential and leisure and tourism plans in the surrounding area.
“This first phase will be a catalyst for the regeneration of this entire area and perfectly complements the unique character of the neighbouring Iron Gate area which is a fascinating collection of popular individual shops and interesting enclosed courtyards. Incorporating roof gardens which will attract wildlife into this urban environment is key to preserving and promoting this unique area of the city.
“It will also reinforce the pedigree of the Cathedral Quarter as a vibrant shopping destination and the announcement of these plans could not have come at a better time with the imminent completion of the £340m Westfield Derby Shopping Centre at the other end of the city centre.
“This will clearly attract many more shoppers into Derby who also have a clear and easy pedestrian route through the city centre itself to the historic Cathedral Quarter.”
Peter Connolly development director of blueprint said, “we are excited by the way this project is progressing and this has been aided by the excellent working relationship we have with Derby Cityscape. People have embraced the scheme as the architecture is sympathetic to the location. The design will also ensure that the space developed will meet the future business needs of commercial occupiers and provide an environment for residential living that will be unique”