A number of businesses are being bulldozed in Nottingham to potentially make way for three huge new tower blocks. The proposals have been welcomed as strides are taken to transform an ageing site near Nottingham Railway Station.
ES Nottingham and Consarc Design has proposed to build three blocks at the junction of London Road and Queens Road on a site which is situated within the Nottingham Station Conservation Area. It was inhabited by a number of businesses such as United Carpets, used-car sellers NottinghamCar.com and Magpie Security, but work is already underway to clear the site and potentially replace them with hundreds of flats.
The Old Tracks pub once sat in the area before planning consent for its demolition was granted back in 2001. Following this a number of units were built and stood for a number of years.
Permission was then granted to demolish the four units on the site in May of this year, prompting some concern from the owners of the businesses themselves, but final approval of the overall scheme remains under consideration. If it's given the go-ahead by planners, it would include the development of 82 apartments, on top of a further 163 apartments with a gym, cycle facilities and a private rooftop terrace.
Read more: Nottingham city centre buildings demolished in plan to 'create life' in area
A third tower would contain 406 student apartments with facilities such as communal lounge, study areas, cycle storage and a laundry. Demolition work has commenced and the units are already being torn down, and the plans have generally been welcomed.
Tim Davis, an electrical engineer from Lambley who regularly works across the city, said: "I think clearing up the south of the city is much better. People moan about students but they bring in the revenue and they help keep the pubs open. We have freshers' every year and that brings in thousands. Students are the lifeblood of the city.
"I'm all for all these new tower blocks. There are quite a lot of areas that need sorting out. Many years ago when I worked in construction I would see the students living in houses in Lenton and they would get burgled all the time.
"Now they have these blocks with intercom systems and it is so much better. I like the architecture. That one [the Island Quarter] I think is lovely. I think it would be good."
The development follows the building of 348 student apartments opposite the Hicking Building in Queens Road, which was given the green light back in 2019. Work started on that scheme in January last year and it is now nearing completion.
If the new scheme is build it would sit directly opposite popular sports bar Hooters. The restaurant's boss has also welcomed the proposals, stating it will not only be good for the business but also the city itself too.
Julian Mills, the managing director and owner of Hooters UK, added: "It is good progress for the city. It is a lot of people in the area, we have got the Island Quarter too, it is a positive thing for the city."
Just over the railway and further along London Road development of the Island Quarter is also taking place. The first phase, coined Canal Turn, is set to open later this year.
It will be complimented by a restaurant and events venue, while redevelopment of the former Boots site would see the creation of a 223-room hotel, 247 residential apartments, co-working space and more food and drink outlets.
Read next:
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