New flats are planned above a Nottingham street that is 'getting better' and is filled with pricey shops and artwork. Offices and storage space above Bridlesmith Gate's Joules branch could be transformed into four studio slats and two cluster flats, totalling 19 bed spaces, if planning permission is granted by Nottingham City Council.
Bridlesmith Gate, which is home to brands like BOSS, Ted Baker, and Joules, has been bolstered recently by an influx of new shops and colourful artwork. Locals thought the new flats were another reasonable addition to the trendy city centre street.
Amy Reece, 21, who lives in the city centre. She said: “I think Bridlesmith Gate is getting better, I know that the artwork was added to improve footfall and you can only assume flats here would help that.”
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Mohammed Ahmed, 32, a taxi driver who lives in Lenton, said: “New flats are always a good thing. I think many people will be happy it’s not student accommodation but this isn’t the place for student accommodation, it’s a nice building here.”
“19 flats is quite a lot too, looking from here you wouldn’t think that amount could fit up there.”
ALB Bridlesmith Gate Limited, which has made the new application, previously bought retail units on the street - with the vision of creating a hub of independent shops, bars and cafes in a bid to make Bridlesmith Gate 'cool again'. Arran Bailey, managing director of property developer ALB Group, said he had heard the city centre described as 'vanilla' - and he and partners pledged to "bring a colourful taste of Copenhagen to the city centre" with new artwork planned as part of the improvements.
Carolyn Martin, 45, who is a school cook from Wollaton, thought the new desirable look of the area would have a marked effect on prices. “I wouldn’t want to know how expensive the rent will be! But people need flats and I know that a lot of professionals and the self-employed chose to work in town. There’s such a need for flats so I see no problems.” Ms Martin said.
The existing building will be retained, and only internal changes will be made to preserve the conservation area when viewed from the public highway. In a planning document, Swish Architecture on behalf of ALB Bridlesmith Gate Limited, said the plan was a "sensitive design solution" that "maximises the potential of the site."
"The layout of the apartments have been designed to maximise desirable outlook and eliminate overlooking with the use of carefully positioned internal spaces. The scheme will help preserve the appearance and quality of the existing site," Swish Architecture added.
"The proposed scheme will meet the needs of the local area in supplying a diverse mix of new housing to an established mixed retail and residential location." The planning application is pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.
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