Neighbours have welcomed the work that has seen a one-time derelict tower block 'spring' to life despite uncertainty over the wider project. Locals have spoken about the progress of the 19-storey Burrows Court tower on Windmill Lane, Sneinton after people moved in to the long-time empty block late last year following a renovation.
The 130-flat building was renovated as part of phase one of a regeneration project, and neighbours have now said that a "sudden" influx of people, who they claim to be refugees, took place at the end of 2021. A Home Office spokesman has said this cannot be commented on due to safeguarding reasons.
Locals were shocked by the speed of progress with the building, which they say had looked like a derelict 'prison block', having become more attractive. Although they expressed confusion over the fate of the second phase for the area around the tower, in which up to 15 two to three-bedroom homes and an apartment block providing 41 units were planned.
Linda Orchard, 66, who is retired and has lived opposite to the tower on Windmill Lane for 22 years, said that she was surprised when the huge block "suddenly" come to life at the end of last year. "They were working on it and then overnight it suddenly sprung into life, and there were loads of people here - and they started moving in late last year," Ms Orchard said.
"It's not made as much of a difference as I had expected really. But there's definitely a lot more foot traffic it seems to have filled up and you see people coming in and out all the time, with people saying that those living there are refugees.
"It had looked like a derelict prison block before when it was empty, I'd thought after the 20 or so years I'd been here they were going to end up knocking it, and now you see people there and all the lights coming on.
"The work seems to have stopped now, I don't think many people want to live in big blocks now but everything will have been done up nice inside. I don't know what is going on with the houses that were mentioned though, they had mentioned shops as well I think but who knows what is going on there. I think that could create some problems with parking but that would be it."
Chris White, had previously said that it was his hoped the two phases could be "completed in a timely manner". Nottinghamshire Live attempted to KPMG for comment on the current state of plans for the area.
Burrows Court was built in 1967, with it being operated by Nottingham City Council to meet housing needs. In 2005 the building was decommissioned and all tenants were rehoused, as the city council concluded that there was "low demand due to inaccessible location and poor reputation for drug dealing in and around block", and it was subsequently sold to a developer.
Samer Elhij, 35, who works in the NHS and has lived on the lane for three years, said: "It is a lot of accommodation and it is a good thing that the area is helping to house refugees, as its a safe environment where they are very protected.
"It had definitely made the street more busy, in the local shops and for parking. I don't really think this area has been prepared for this many people coming back into the building after it was empty for a long time.
"It looks better than it did before, but it still just a grey pillar that really sticks out from everything around it. I don't really know about the house plans but they wouldn't have much more affect than the big building."
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, added: "The people moving in again has been fine, I've not had any trouble at all. It happened very quickly I didn't really know about the refugees moving in, there are a lot of families around now.
"It looks better than it did when it was emptied in 2005. It just sat there derelict for ears so it's better that it is used.
"I don't really know where they would be putting the houses they spoke about though, they would have to be crammed in. They would have to be all the way around on the other side."
Nottinghamshire Live asked the Home Office for clarity about whether refugees are housed in the tower block. A Home Office spokesman said: “We do not comment on asylum accommodation for safeguarding reasons.”
