Huge plans to completely demolish the former Debenhams department store and two other buildings either side and construct two blocks of 520 new homes in their place, have been unveiled by developers. Those behind the scheme said it would create a new pedestrian route from Broadmead to the Bearpit roundabout and create a new ‘northern gateway’ to the city’s retail heart.
Two years since the Debenhams store closed down as the nationwide chain went out of business, there have been no serious takers for the large-scale custom-built department store, and now the firm that owns the land say the future is to start again with a ‘landmark’ 28-storey block of flats.
Also included in the plans is a two-storey community building which the architects and developers say they want to be a library or health centre. The team behind the proposals is holding two consultation events next Monday, June 19.
