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The long-awaited redevelopment of the Becketwell area in Derby looks to be edging closer with property developer, St James Securities, taking ownership of the area, after they exchanged contracts, and subsequently submitted a full planning application for the site.
The area that the planning application refers to includes:
- The former Debenhams store;
- The United Reformed Church;
- Shops on Victoria Street;
- The former Pennine Hotel building;
- Duckworth Square; and
- Multiple buildings on Colyear Street.
The demolition of the former Debenhams store, church, and the shopping units on Victoria Street is hoped to take place before the end of the year, subject to planning approval.
St James Securities have been contracted to undertake the redevelopment by Derby City Council, which purchased a number of vacant properties in the area in 2018.
Becketwell area redevelopment – plans under consideration
The planning application submitted by St James Securities to the city council for the £200 million redevelopment includes the construction of 342 build-to-rent apartments across two building blocks.
One of the blocks would contain 246 apartments with a café and restaurant on the ground level. The other block would have 96 apartments above a convenience shop. Both blocks would have car parking at the rear of the buildings.
There are also plans for a new multi-purpose public square. This is being built on the site which is currently the United Reformed Church.
This is the first phase of the major development, with the planning application also including plans for offices, a multi-story car park, innovation and leisure centre, and another smaller public square, called Summerhill Yard (the site’s historical street name).
Director of St James Securities, Paul Morris, commented:
“We were delighted to be chosen by Derby City Council in March 2018 to deliver a truly comprehensive and badly needed major regeneration scheme for Derby city centre.
“I am absolutely delighted that contracts have now been signed and put in place and am proud to say after months of consultation the planning application has been formally submitted.
“We are hopeful of a successful determination to this application by the end of 2019, which will enable us to make a start on site in late spring 2020.”
Councillor Chris Poulter, Derby City Council leader, added:
“The area has been in need of regeneration for years and this is a fantastic step in our plans to transform Derby’s city centre.
“The plans will now be submitted to the planning control committee for consideration.”
It is hoped that the redevelopment of the site will bring a variety of benefits to the city centre, which includes a repopulation of office workers and residents.
Failed previous plans
There have been various proposals put forward to regenerate this Derby area in the past. Previously proposed plans, which included an ice rink and an entertainment unit, never came to fruition due to the fragmented way in which the land is owned and the manner in which the plans were structured, e.g. the lack of a comprehensive delivery programme.
How Nelsons can help
A property development can be a long and complicated process. At Nelsons, we would advise that with any small or large-scale developments to obtain legal advice as early as possible to overcome any potential hurdles down the line, particularly in relation to planning considerations.
Our expert Commercial Property team in Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham can advise on the full range of property development considerations, including:
- Promotion agreements
- Option agreements
- Conditional contracts
- Pre-emption agreements
- Overage agreements
- Infrastructure agreements
- Collaboration agreements
- Ransoms
- Planning
For more information on our services, please call 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form.
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