Hopes have been expressed for something 'useful' to replace a city building which has become a 'waste of space'. Plans for the demolition of the former Willbond bathroom shop on Ilkeston Road, Lenton, have been submitted to Nottingham City Council.
It is not yet known what could replace the building if demolition was approved by the council. Locals welcomed the demolition plan, and predicted that student flats would be a likely eventual replacement if it went ahead.
Kash Tabassum, 20, who studies business and economics at Nottingham Trent University and has lived nearby for five years, said the vacant bathroom shop was currently a 'waste of space'. "It has been closed for a few years I think. It's empty, so if it's not going to be used why not knock it down to turn it into something else - it is a waste of space at the moment.
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"I wouldn't be bothered if it ends up being more student flats, I don't think it would make a difference. We already have loads around here and apart from sometimes being noisy its not bad."
Ahmed Mokad, 40, a restaurant worker from Lenton, said: "I would rather see something built there to be used. Even if that means student accommodation, I think that's good.
"I only moved here about a month ago so I have never seen the shop open. Something new and useful would help the area."
This submission by applicant Cloverco Ltd seeks to allow for the demolition of the building at the earliest opportunity. In a planning document it was outlined the building had not been rendered unsafe, was not in a Conservation Area and not listed.
A Lenton resident, who did not want to be named, added: "There's no point keeping it up if it can be redeveloped into something people will use. It will probably end up being student accommodation in the future if it's demolished, but people around here are either students or are used to them at this point.
Before Allclear demolition starts work on site the building will be searched to ensure no trespassers are present, according to planning documents. The inside of the building will be stripped before the full structural demolition, removing all fixtures and fittings not structural or integral to the building.
The single storey unit would be demolished, with the two-storey terrace of shop fronts with dwellings above to follow. The planning application is pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.
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