City centre regeneration scheme takes step forward

Plans to regenerate part of Derby city centre with hundreds of new homes have taken a step forward.

Derby City Council's planning control committee has given the green light for planning officers to negotiate a legal agreement and approve an outline application for proposals to redevelop the former Eagle Market.

A total of six buildings, including one that would be 19 storeys high, form part of the proposals and would deliver 674 homes, with commercial space along Morledge leading to Traffic Street also in the plans.

Documents submitted by the applicant state the proposals would result in a "high-quality" development and would make a "significant contribution" to Derby's housing requirements.

The project includes the demolition of the former Eagle Market building, but Derby Theatre would be retained within the development.

Martin Rawson, a city councillor for Chaddesden West, told committee members the proposals were a "really exciting step forward" in terms of the regeneration of the city.

"We know there's been a transformation in terms of people's shopping habits and so the city centre's got to reinvent itself, and I think this is a really good example of how that can happen," he added.

Paul Clarke, chief planning officer at Derby City Council, said it was a "really exciting time" to be in Derby and added he hoped the city would see more "intensive taller buildings".

A report prepared for councillors said the former Eagle Market offered "little in terms of architectural value" and had an "outdated appearance".

"Despite the reactivation of the former market, the building itself acts as a barrier to connectivity from the bus station and train station, providing a poor gateway to the city centre.

"As such, the demolition and removal of the building would be of a benefit to the city, creating an opportunity for redevelopment and the introduction of a gateway to the city centre from the east," the report added.

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