Developers have been accused of 'destroying' Nottingham's history amid plans to cut through caves to prop up a massive student building. Plans for the former Nottingham Fire and Police station to be replaced with a huge 987-bed student complex have proved controversial after it was revealed works would have to take place in a historic cave network to support it.
Vita Group, who are planning the 12-storey tower, are now looking to prop up the tower by placing columns into the ground and cutting through a more than 150-year-old cave network. Conservationists have said they are 'extremely concerned' about the impact the works could have on the cave system on eastern part of the site, which forms part of the Guildhall's Grade II heritage listing.
The 'House of Social' accommodation would be constructed above the caves, with a piled foundation planned to distribute the load of the building via columns driven through the cave system and into the bedrock below. Vita Group have said the caves may not be capable of supporting the size of the tower without the works taking place.
Read more: Hopes voiced as wait goes on for major redevelopment of historic Nottingham building
The large cave complex was originally cut in 1860 as storage for wine merchants Skinner and Rook who were based on North Church Street. It was later adapted and expanded for use as the Civil Defence Headquarters during the Second World War and during the Cold War with concrete and brick reinforcement.
Hilary Silvester, the executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, said: "I've heard of the plans and I think people are rightly very concerned, we don't want concrete pillars cutting through the listed caves. They're historically important not just because of their age but in World War Two they were part of the history of the city and its protection.
"I don't think Nottingham makes nearly enough of it's caves. I think there's one town or city that in the country that has something similar, and there are the odd cave in places like Kent, but Nottingham is riddled with caves.
"Of course you're got the caves underneath High Pavement which have been cleaned up and developed. You can go on the occasional tours but Nottingham has not made much of it.
"We are concerned anyway about the building itself on Shakespeare Street that would be demolished. 12-storeys is a nonsense anyway near to the Grade II* Arkwright Building.
"From our point of view [the possibility of opening up the caves] that would not alter how we feel, this is part of Nottingham's history and it's not the right thing to put in a historic setting." Vita Group said the structural work in the cave network would "ensure the sensitive redevelopment" of the site, without "compromising existing features".
People in the city centre, including 63-year-old Rachel O'Mara from Sherwood, said the plans would have an impact on the city's history. She said: "For goodness sake how many flats do we need, is it worth it. I think it's a ridiculous plan, most of Nottingham's history has been destroyed for new developments - Maid Marian Way is an awful example. Changing the caves affects Nottingham's history. You used to be able to do a lot of things in the caves."
Dave Wilkinson, 55, who works as a copywriter in Nottingham, said: "A lot of history has been demolished in Nottinghamshire. The problem is we would like to see stuff preserved but nobody seems to be bothered about maintaining it or investing to restore it.
"There are a lot of caves still in Nottingham, but it seems many have been obliterated. I would love for them to open up the caves, but it's a balancing act. I don't understand how we don't have enough student flats already either."
Alex Reid, 32, and Rebecca Parr, 31, who both work at E.ON next to the site, were more positive about the plans. "I'm not too fussed about the cave to be honest, I didn't even know it was there. But I suppose if they could be opened to the public that could be a positive," Mr Reid said.
Ms Parr added: "People do care about the caves here in Nottingham. It would be nice thought to have something to look at if the plans go ahead and they can build."
York Archaeology on behalf of Vita Group has been in contact with Scott Lomax, city archaeologist for Nottingham, over the proposals. In a statement, the Vita Group said: “The Guildhall is an incredibly exciting regeneration project, but it isn’t without its technical challenges to harness the site’s potential.
"The planning application includes the use of a single pile within the caves which has been identified as the best way to overcome some of these challenges and ensure the sensitive redevelopment of this important heritage site without compromising existing features.
"As with any site of this nature, it will involve working closely with Historic England to ensure any features of significant importance are retained. Following this, the aspiration is that the tunnels will be safe to operate tours in collaboration with City of Caves, so more people can see these historic features in a controlled way, rather than them being left to ruin.”
It comes after conservationists warned the city was facing 'architectural disaster' if the demolition of 'landmark' buildings continues. Plans for a hotel were also approved a couple of years ago for the wider Guildhall site.
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