Almost 500 homes to be built this year at £165m scheme

A housing developer has said that almost 500 homes will be built this year at its £165 million Nightingale Quarter scheme in Derby.

Wavensmere Homes said it intends to complete 486 properties at the 18.5-acre former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary site in 2023 – which is over half of the total 925 houses and apartments that make up the development.

The Nightingale Quarter scheme is one of the UK’s most significant city centre regeneration projects and includes the restoration of landmark buildings and monuments from the 130-year-old former hospital.

James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “There’s a general assumption that market activity in London and the south-east sets the tone for the whole of the UK.

“The opportunities in thriving regional cities like Derby are much more exciting and deliverable, which is why we will be completing over 450 new homes at our Nightingale Quarter scheme during 2023.

“Even on PLC sites, it’s unusual for more than 100 homes to be delivered in a 12-month period, but the demand is here. This has to be among the best-selling schemes in the UK.”

During the past three years, more than 80% of the homes at Nightingale Quarter have been matched with buyers, with 265 of the houses and apartments already occupied.

Five phases of the project are currently under construction simultaneously and there are 165 homes available to purchase in the final phases of the scheme.
James said: “Derby saw the sixth highest house price inflation during 2022 – ahead of all London boroughs – with prices rising by 15.8%.

“This was due in part to the £4 billion investment into the city in recent years, combined with the growing number of high earners working for major businesses based locally, such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and JCB.

“The career opportunities, quality of life, connectivity, and house price affordability are highly attractive to those relocating here, as well as investors from across the UK and overseas.

“We only sell to individuals, but some of our buyers are from as far afield as Shanghai.”

Located off London Road, Nightingale Quarter is situated close to the Derbion shopping centre.

The development has been sympathetically designed by Gould Singleton Architects to incorporate the restoration of the iconic Victorian ‘Pepper Pot’ buildings.

Pepper Pot North will feature a large independently run restaurant, while Pepper Pot South will be transformed into a residents’ gym.

James said: “The communal facilities and strong sense of community already established at the Nightingale Quarter ensures residents who do rent here make a medium to long-term commitment, keeping void periods to a minimum.

“With contracts already exchanged on the vast majority of the houses and apartments we are delivering this year; we are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of new residents.”