Go-ahead for plans to improve key city gateway

Plans to radically improve the eastern side of Derby city centre have been given the green light by planners.

Derby City Council’s planning committee recently granted permission for the Eastern Gateway scheme.

The project, which is part-funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, will add extra shops and leisure outlets and create a new public boulevard to transform the area opposite the bus station and the eastern entrance to Derbion.

The business case for the Eastern Gateway scheme, which will be delivered by Derbion, estimates that the regeneration will create new jobs, drive additional footfall and support the ongoing recovery of the city centre.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, which submitted a letter supporting the application, said: “We really welcome this as improving the city gateway from the bus station and two of the city’s largest hotels is long overdue.

“The area has a footfall of over 12 million people which will only increase when the Becketwell Performance Venue opens in 2025.”

The plans involve the removal of a section of the former Eagle  Market building and the Castle and Falcon pub, opening up the streetscape and creating a vibrant new space.

It will create a split-level area of landscaping, with a series of garden terraces with opportunities for seating at different levels, overlooking the street.

It will also include durable play zones to offer a family friendly element to the scheme, with food and drink outlets and associated seating bringing further vitality to the site.

A new double height Derbion entrance, which is designed to be welcoming and inviting to visitors, is also part of the scheme.

A report prepared by planners ahead of the committee meeting, stated: “The existing entrance on the corner of East Street and Morledge provides an uninviting arrival to the city.

“The proposal seeks to create a welcoming ‘Eastern Gateway’ to the city centre from the Bus Station with new landscaping works.

“These high-quality proposals will raise the overall design standard for Derby city centre and make a positive contribution to the character of East Street.”

The city council was awarded £15 million by the Government back in December 2020, following a successful Future High Streets Fund bid to support the recovery of the city centre.

Around £5 million of this funding has been allocated to the Eastern Gateway scheme.

A share of the funding has also been invested in refurbishing the city’s Grade II-listed Market Hall into an attractive, flexible retail and leisure destination.