Plans have been submitted to build new tower blocks and create 50,000 sq ft of office space and 30,000 sq ft of commercial space in Derby city centre.
The owners of Derbion shopping centre are applying for planning permission to redevelop two city sites – the Eagle Quarter, made up of the current Eagle Market, Derby Theatre and The Castle and Falcon pub, and the Bradshaw Way Retail Park.
The Eagle Quarter plans would see buildings demolished to make way for 11 apartment blocks to accommodate 875 homes, as well as around 25,000 sq ft of commercial space. The highest block would be 29 storeys.
A statement filed with the city council for the Eagle Quarter project said it would secure “the long-term future of this part of Derby city centre with the repurposing of under-utilised and outdated buildings.”
It would also make “Derby a more attractive option and compete with other regional centres.”
The site would be part of Derby’s Eastern Gateway plans to improve access to the city centre from the bus station, build a new entrance to Derbion in East Street, and build new shops and leisure outlets.
The application for the Bradshaw Way Retail Park site includes five new blocks – the highest would be 19 storeys – accommodating 420 homes, alongside 50,000 sq ft of office space and 5,100 sq ft of commercial space.
In its masterplan documents Derbion says: “Whilst Derbion, as a major retail and leisure venue, continues to evolve with ongoing investment in new brands and customer experiences, together with projects such as the proposed Eastern Gateway, it’s important to also look further ahead to ensure that Derbion can fulfil its potential in the heart of the city.
“The Derbion Masterplan will deliver a framework for longer-term development potential that complements and supports the existing centre and its significant position within Derby.
“It is a starting point for exploring future opportunities over the next 10 years and beyond that will benefit both Derbion and the ongoing regeneration of Derby city centre as envisioned by the council.”
