Delight as outdoor street food destination wins approval

The businessman behind plans to create an outdoor artisan food and beverage offer in Derby city centre has spoken of his delight after the proposals were given the green light at the third time of asking.

Derby’s City Council’s planning committee recently approved plans by Burton Abbey Developments to create the scheme on an empty plot of land at St Peter’s Churchyard.

It was the third time the scheme had come to committee – and despite a recommendation by council officers to refuse – members gave the project the go-ahead.

Steve Wardle, from Burton Abbey Developments, said: “After over three years and three planning applications we are delighted to finally have planning approved for our development of an outdoor street food destination on St Peter’s Churchyard in Derby city centre.

“We are ready to start on site this summer, with completion expected next summer to tie in with the other exciting projects opening in Derby in 2025.”

Known as The Yard Derby, the scheme involves creating 10 retail units arranged in an ‘L-shaped’ configuration along the southern and western edges of the site, situated away from the Grade II*-listed St. Peter’s Church and the Grade II*-listed Old Grammar School.

The plans incorporate a seating area with a capacity for up to 100 people.

In the run up to the application being considered, the scheme received strong backing from the city’s business community – including Marketing Derby and the Derby Economic Development Advisory Committee.

John Forkin, managing director at Marketing Derby, said: “Marketing Derby is delighted that the city council has finally approved this investment, which will create a vibrant food and beverage offer in one of the city centre’s regeneration priority areas.

“It will help lift the area, support its heritage, as well as complement the council’s own substantial investment into the nearby Performance Venue. It’s exactly the sort of thing Derby has been crying out for.”

The scheme’s backers also included respected heritage architects Lathams as well as historian Maxwell Craven, both of whom carried out detailed analysis of the site.

Steve said: “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Jon Phipps and the team at Lathams, John Forkin, Amy Burton and all at Marketing Derby, Brad Worley and St Peter’s Quarter BID, Maxwell Craven, and all those who have supported me.”