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Here is the Nottinghamian from Wednesday, February 15.
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian brings news of the financial impact the closure of Nottingham Castle is having on the city council. A reopening date is still not confirmed.
We will also take a look at how a new city building will create thousands of jobs as well as a new student development that is set to be approved.
Castle costs
The recent failure of Nottingham Castle has cost the city council at least £800,000 in terms of both lost income and fees to keep the building going. Nottingham City Council has not yet confirmed a reopening date for the Castle, which closed in November after the trust running it went into liquidation.
A reopening date was originally set to be revealed in January, but the council said at the end of last month it was "not yet in a position" to make an announcement and gave no further indication of when one would be made. Papers due to be presented at a council meeting on February 21 now show the cost incurred as a result of the Nottingham Castle Trust collapse.
In a report on the council's budget monitoring for the third quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, the council is forecasting an overspend of £13.6 million altogether. Around £800,000 of the overspend is a direct result of the Nottingham Castle Trust collapse. Read more on the costs here.
Thousands of jobs
Thousands of jobs could be created by a £100m office block next to Nottingham railway station. The second phase of the Unity Square project, an even taller office building than the tower occupied by HMRC, has been recommended for approval at Nottingham City Council's planning committee on February 22.
The new building would be built on the remaining cleared part of the site to the rear of the finished HMRC offices. The application seeks approval for outstanding ‘reserved matters’, including the appearance and landscaping of the 12-storey office development, as Nottingham City Council had already granted outline planning permission for two office buildings totaling up to 58,360 square-metre in January 2019.
In the new building there would also be a lower ground floor which would provide parking for 30 cars, 100 bicycles, and bin storage. Peveril Securities and its joint venture partner Sladen Estates, who are behind the development, previously said their latest scheme could create up to 2,000 new jobs and be worth an estimated £100m once finished. Read more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Cloudy and dull Thursday with outbreaks rain, rain perhaps heavy at first and gradually easing during the day. Winds mostly light but becoming windy overnight. Maximum temperature 13 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Boy admits causing death of Nottinghamshire grandmother while riding e-scooter
Trivia question: What is the bell in Nottingham Council House called?
The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Bridge creates disappointment
A 'particularly poor' city centre building that houses two shops is set to be transformed by student flats. A plan to extend and convert the building where Poundland and Bonmarché trade from in Lower Parliament Street has been recommended for approval. The two businesses will stay in the building if the plans are approved, as the property's basement will be refurbished to make up for the conversion of the existing first floor storage area.
An upward extension would make the building five storeys at its tallest, with the upper floors turned into space for 104 student beds. In a report submitted ahead of the committee, a planning officer labelled the existing building as being of "particularly poor architectural quality that is harmful to its immediate context and the pedestrian experience of its surrounding streets". Nottingham City Council has previously explained 'purpose built student accommodation' should free up family homes in the city.
In response to the plans, the Nottingham Civic Society expressed disappointment that the bridge across Lower Parliament Street, which is not owned by applicant Maven, would not be removed. On the other hand, they said the changes could improve the street appearance in both conservation areas nearby (Lace Market and Old Market Square) and "enliven" the side elevations, encouraging street traders.
That's all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today's trivia question, what is the bell in Nottingham Council House called, is the Little John.
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