£2.8m building sale kick-starts station area regeneration plans

Placemaking and regeneration experts LCR has completed the £2.8 million acquisition of a building that will be key to the city’s plans to regenerate the area around Derby Midland Station.

LCR has purchased Midland House, a 19th century property situated close to the railway station, in an area earmarked for regeneration by Derby City Council to create a new, more effective gateway to the city centre.

The acquisition was made possible with the support of £500,000 funding from the city council, which is now working with LCR to bring forward plans to breathe new life into the area.

Rachel North, deputy chief executive (communities and place) at the city council, said: “The news of the acquisition of Midland House by LCR is particularly welcome now that Derby has been confirmed as the new home of Great British Railways.

“It is an important building close to Derby station and its heritage will be protected. As well as having a proud rail history, Derby has an exciting future.”

Karl Drabble, regional director at LCR, said: “It is an exciting time to live, study and work in Derby, with plans to transform the city and its surrounding areas already moving at pace.

“News of Great British Railways’ arrival will only galvanise these, and it’s crucial that the area around Derby station, which has long been under-loved, provides a gateway that is symbolic of the direction the city is heading.”

The 55,000 sq ft Midland House building was originally the headquarters for Midlands Railway.

In later years it served as a free school and during the Covid-19 pandemic was utilised as a vaccination centre.

Midland House forms a key component of regeneration plans for the area, with the building linking multiple plots of underutilised land ready for regeneration.

The sale of the building to government-owned LCR ensures that the heritage of the building will be protected and serve as a focal point for the wider regeneration of the city.

Both LCR and the city council are now working to bring forward a regeneration masterplan, which would then be subject to consultation with residents, businesses and other key stakeholders.

Karl said: “We’ll be working hand-in-hand with Derby City Council to kickstart plans to regenerate the area, and the iconic Midland House will play a crucial role.

“Residents’ and visitors’ experience will sit at the heart of efforts to revitalise the area, and in partnership with the council, we want to ensure that the area is an exciting space for people to live and work again.”

Rachel said: “The planned regeneration will help build the potential of the city’s Railway Conservation Area and continue to make Derby a more attractive place for residents, businesses, tourists and investors.”