Nottingham campaigners say the city is facing 'architectural disaster' if the demolition of its 'landmark' buildings continue. The Nottingham Civic Society, which has fiercely objected to a number of high-rise developments, has called on Nottingham City Council to encourage the repurposing - rather than demolition - of historic buildings.
The group raised concerns for two under-threat sites - the last remaining John Player Bonded Warehouse being demolished by the University of Nottingham and the former police and fire stations on Shakespeare Street that could be replaced by a 13-storey student block.
“The council has excellent schemes to lead us towards a carbon-neutral city and the civic society welcomes them. But the number of schemes proposed at the moment involving demolition rather than re-use seems to go against this," said executive chair Hilary Silvester.
Read more: Historic Nottingham building could be flattened to make way for 13-storey tower
She told Nottinghamshire Live that the growing number of plans for high-rise buildings in the city equated to 'architectural disaster'. "It's not just in Nottingham but across the country, these buildings are a disaster," she said.
Ms Silvester said that whilst Nottingham had still managed to retain much of its character, an increase of tall buildings in the city centre would cut off its suburbs. "Places like the Meadows and St Ann's, they need to be connected, they're less prosperous and need to feel like they are part of Nottingham."
The civic society said its greatest worry was for the former Nottingham Fire and Police station, which could have a knock-on effect in Shakespeare Street. "Work of the size proposed for this site, rising to thirteen storeys, would have a detrimental effect on such listed buildings opposite as Bard House and the YMCA, not to mention the similarly-listed Arkwright Building and the Grade II* listed Newton Building," continued Ms Silvester.
"And it would seem that construction on the site would be continuing for the next three years.” Concluding, she added: “Fifty years ago the solution was to demolish and rebuild. Now many of those buildings are time-expired, and the ruins of the Broad Marsh Centre are being given a sustainable future, enthusiastically put forward by the City Council.
"This is what conservation, regeneration and re-use achieve. We now call upon the city to show an equally sustainable approach to the fire station, the police station and the remaining Player’s bonded warehouse.”
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “We understand and note the civic society’s concerns. All proposals we receive go through a formal planning process where these matters are very carefully considered.
“It’s important to be clear that only certain buildings need planning permission to demolish. However, where an application is submitted for a new development we will always consult neighbouring residents, interested parties and organisations.”
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