Fresh plans have revealed a huge city redevelopment project would create a public market hall to host the "best of the Nottingham street-food scene". The former Nottingham fire and police station on Shakespeare Street would be replaced with a huge student complex that would contain 987 beds, if new plans are approved.
The two planned buildings would vary in height from seven to 12-storeys, with the existing buildings being demolished apart from the Grade II listed Fire Station House. Inside the building there would be a residents’ hub and communal facilities, and a new ground floor public food hall.
Whilst the market hall would be open to students, the site's developer VITA have expressed their wish for it to become a "great asset to Nottingham, assembling the very best of the Nottingham street-food scene into a single, vibrant space." There would also be an adjoining market hall garden which would feature a steel structure decorated with climbing plants over a large outside dining area.
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Further west of the market hall, there would also be a lounge, workspace, gym and dance studio for student residents. Architects for the project said it would be of "high quality design" and was needed to address a shortage in student bed spaces in Nottingham.
But Hilary Silvester, the executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, previously said the loss of the building would result in a 'total change' of the area. She added it would be "detrimental" to demolish "a very historic building".
The Guildhall and police and fire station to the south of the site were erected in 1887-8. In 1938 plans for a comprehensive redevelopment for the block in which the site is situated were published.
The proposals retained the Guildhall but earmarked the old police and fire station for demolition. In 1938/39, following demolition of buildings along North Church Street, South Sherwood Street and the Guildhall Cottages, the new Central Police and Fire Stations were constructed, but the 19th century Police and fire station was not demolished as previously planned.
Fireman carvings from the vacant station would be retained in the proposed scheme. In a planning document, on behalf of applicant VITA, said: "Given their proximity to locally listed buildings(particularly on the proposal adjoining Shakespeare Street and South Sherwood Street), the proposals seek to provide a building of outstanding architectural quality to complement this important heritage setting.
"It is anticipated that this development will play an important role by providing much needed student bed spaces to the rapidly growing Universities within the vicinity of the site. In turn, this will reduce the reliance on private rented accommodation within the suburbs of Nottingham and help provide “on campus” accommodation that is both convenient and sustainable." The planning application is pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.
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