Marketing Derby urges council to back riverside apartments scheme

Marketing Derby has called upon Derby City Council’s planning committee to back plans by Wavensmere Homes for a major apartments scheme next to the city’s river.

Earlier this year, Wavensmere, along with Wilson Bowden Developments, submitted updated proposals for the Full Street scheme, known as Cathedral One, in response to stakeholder feedback.

It involves creating 195 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, within a finely detailed u-shaped nine-storey red brick building overlooking the River Derwent and Cathedral Green.

Now, those plans are set to be considered by the city council’s planning control committee tomorrow, with a recommendation by planning officers to approve the scheme subject to the terms of a Section 106 Agreement being agreed.

In a newly submitted letter of support to the council, John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, writes: “The 195 homes that this scheme will deliver (alongside new commercial floorspace) are crucial in adding to Derby’s growing and vibrant ‘City Living’ offer.

“These homes will not only continue to attract individuals back into the city centre to live but will also help boost the local economy.

“Finally, the scheme will also regenerate a vacant and under-utilised site within the city centre. Located on the banks of the River Derwent, this riverside scheme has the potential to transform how the city and its people interact with the river and once more make it a focal point of the city.”

The development site was previously occupied by a police station, which was constructed in the 1960s and demolished in 2013.

Phase One of Wilson Bowden’s Full Street development was completed in 2016.

It included the refurbishment of Connect Derby’s Riverside Chambers office complex, delivery of 46 new apartments at Number One Cathedral Green, and a Premier Inn hotel.

The remaining parcel of land had been earmarked for an office development of up to 100,000 sq ft, but it is now being brought forward by Wavensmere Homes for the apartments scheme.

After concerns were raised about the height of the proposed development, Franklin Ellis Architects drew up revised plans, inspired by the traditional architecture and heritage assets within the vicinity.

The plans included a reduction in the height of the scheme.

In Marketing Derby’s letter of support, Mr Forkin writes: “In line with feedback received from consultees regarding the project, it should be noted that Wavensmere has incorporated several changes into their original design (i.e. scale, brickwork mass and recessing of the 8th floor).

“These changes show a pro-activeness by the developer to create a scheme that fits sympathetically within the local area and does not impact on the city’s local heritage assets.”

Wavensmere Homes is the developer responsible for the £175 million Nightingale Quarter scheme, which has seen hundreds of homes built on the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.

This month, it is expected to move onto site to start work on the £75 million transformation of Friar Gate Goods Yard.

Mr Forkin writes: “As outlined in our previous letters of support, Wavensmere Homes is a trusted city partner.

“Their team have proven their worth in delivering high-quality city living in Derby – most notably at their Nightingale Quarter site – a £175 million investment providing 925 new homes, of which the last apartment block is currently under construction.”