A second new office tower block opposite Nottingham Station has been given the green-light after the majority of city councillors felt concerns over energy use and architecture had been addressed. The office block will be taller than the existing 10-storey HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) tower, which has already been built at Unity Square in Sheriffs Way as part of the first phase of the project.
HMRC came under fire towards the end of last year after it was revealed, by Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood (Lab), the Government department ran up a £550,000 energy bill at the building in six months. The criticism prompted HMRC to alter the way it lights the building.
HMRC began moving 5,000 staff members into its 10-storey tower block last year shortly after its construction, and outline planning permission had already been given for phase 2 for a second tower block next to it on the same plot. The issues with the first tower block led to similar concerns over the full approval of its even taller, 13-storey neighbour, which has been proposed by Peveril Securities Limited and partner Sladen Estates.
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During a Nottingham City Council planning meeting on February 22, the plans were approved despite concerns from the committee chairman. Cllr Mike Edwards (Lab), the chairman, had to leave the meeting due to his strong and outspoken views on the scheme, which sits within his Meadows ward.
The council’s constitution means if members of the committee have made a contribution which could impact the safety of the committee’s decision-making, they must absent themselves. Before leaving he gave a presentation and said: “The Member of Parliament (Lilian Greenwood) had to go to the relevant Government department to do something about the lighting.
“Its biggest energy bills were in the summer. Huge, huge energy bills and energy costs to the public. And this was predicted. I fully appreciate that the design (of the new scheme) has been moderated from what was originally proposed so it looks more like the current Phase 1, just a different colour, now that is why we have asked the committee to do is to look again at whether it looks sufficiently attractive and to look hard at what is being claimed in terms of energy efficiency.
“This is the city that is striving for carbon neutrality, this is the city that is striving for better efficiency in terms of energy use.” The plans were unanimously approved upon his exit from the meeting, with certain conditions.
Cllr Sally Longford (Lab), a member of the committee and portfolio holder for the environment, added: “Like the chair who has absented himself it is no secret I voted against the original development and I was against the proposal for the building existing now and the outline of this.
“However we are where we are and, despite those comments, I have to say that I am pleased with the progress that has been made on the sustainability front with this new building. I still have concerns about, for example, I don’t understand why there are 30 parking spaces needed for a place which is right near the station, right near the bus station, it just seems excessive.
“I don’t know whether 100 cycle storage spaces is sufficient and there is no mention of, as far as I can see, what they are going to do with the roof. I commend the work that has been done. I think the new building is much better than the original.
“Lighting has been a big talking point around the local media and social media for some time ever since the building was built, so one would hope the new building with its narrower profile will be a bit less troublesome. There was something about [solar] PV being a possibility, but clearly there is going to be a roof space and I think that should be used either for PV or a green roof perhaps.”
Planning officers agreed the cycle space was “substandard” and that this would be looked at again, which could result in some car parking spaces being lost. Plans say the office block could create up to 2,000 jobs. An occupier is yet to be sought.
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