Consultancy goes extra mile on pub plan

Planning consultancy Planning & Design Practice has played a key role in securing planning permission to turn a prominent former Derby pub into student accommodation.

For many years, The Mile pub, on the corner of Ashbourne Road and Uttoxeter Old Road, had been part of the infamous ‘Derby Mile’ pub crawl.

However, in recent years, the pub, which has gone under various names, including The Thirsty Scholar, The Wheel Inn, The Old Wheel Inn, and The Garrick, suffered from increased competition and changing tastes.

The upper floors had already been converted to residential – and Planning & Design Practice was approached by the building’s owner to secure planning permission to turn the remaining space into student accommodation.

In a statement, Planning & Design Practice said: “Having worked with the client previously on another residential scheme, the client returned to us to help them visualise a scheme and layout design that would preserve the character and history of the pub, as well as the street scene, and for us to help them get the best chance of an approval in planning terms.

“The final scheme includes a two-storey rear extension, a courtyard to the rear for an amenity space for the residents and a cycle store.”