Homes plan submitted for historic Derby mill site

Plans have been submitted to Derby City Council to transform a dilapidated Victorian mill site in the city into a development containing more than 100 homes.

The former Osmaston Works building, in Osmaston Road, currently hosts a number of business tenants.

Now, a proposal has been submitted on behalf of the mill’s owner ALB Group to fully regenerate the site, creating much-needed housing for the area, as well as a three-storey office block.

The imposing mill building, built in the late 19th Century, will be retained and converted into 64 one- and two-bedroom apartments, complete with a ground floor gym area.

Meanwhile, the surrounding industrial units will be demolished to make way for two further apartment blocks, six small family homes, an office block and associated parking and cycle stores.

It is hoped that once planning approval is received, construction work will begin next year.

It is envisaged that the mill apartments will attract young professionals, while the two-bedroom terraced houses at the rear, complete with private gardens, will be aimed at families.

Arran Bailey, managing director of ALB Group, said: “There are so many sites like this around the UK which represent the nation’s once booming manufacturing might but which have sadly been allowed to fall into disrepair.

“For largely commercial reasons, developers are reluctant to take on anything like this, where preservation is as important as construction. But we are determined to breathe new life into these down-trodden areas.

“These buildings deserve to be retained due to their character and history, and we are confident that residents and businesses in the area surrounding Osmaston Mill will benefit hugely from our proposal.”