Plans revealed for derelict former Aida Bliss factory
images have been unveiled of how a derelict factory in Derby could be transformed to a multi-million pound-housing development.
Derby City Council has released pictures showing design proposals for the former Aida Bliss factory in Chester Green, which has stood empty for almost 20 years.
The council purchased the site of the former City Road factory in 2018 with the intention of developing it for new council homes.
It is hoped the development will consist of 74 new homes – a mixture of one and two bedroom apartments, and two, three and four bedroom townhouses.
There are also plans for the development to feature commercial units with one of them likely to be a new café/coffee shop for the area, subject to planning and financial matters.
Council documents reveal parts of the building including the Victorian facade will be retained but other industrial parts will be demolished to make space for construction.
It was revealed in a council report published last year that the development could cost the council around £4million to turn to reality.
Some of the funding is expected to come through Government grants to ease the financial burden on the council.
The new images have been unveiled ahead of a meeting next week which will allow members of the council’s Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee to have their say on the designs. A planning application is then to be submitted by the council sometime afterwards.
It is reported the factory has stood empty since 2003 when the factory shut down. Aida, which made industrial machines for the manufacture of pressed metal products, had been based in Derby since 1938.
A report states the designs unveiled so far are not fully finished but are at a stage where the council can seek feedback from stakeholders. Before Aida Bliss had the keys the building was known as the Sir Alfred Seale Haslam’s Union Foundry.
Regarding the ambition for the site, the report before next week’s meeting states: “Members will be aware that Derby, like most cities, has a very significant need for new affordable housing, and the proposed mix of accommodation will meet the needs of a range of applicants on our Housing Register.
“It will also make efficient use of a brownfield site in contributing to the overall housing requirement set out in our Local Plan. Although the development is a council project, it is possible that different tenures may be involved, and some houses may be sold on a shared ownership basis. This is subject to further appraisal work and discussion with partners.”
Regarding commercial units featuring as part of the development the council report adds: “We have taken commercial advice which suggests there would be strong demand from a range of independent busiNEW
The derelict factory nesses for the remaining units, such as potentially florists, hairdressers, specialist retail, creative industries workspace, or a small-scale office to support the “hybrid” office/home working model. The council would select tenants carefully to ensure these uses were compatible with the residential above them.”
The Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 4pm on Thursday. It can be viewed on Derby City Council’s YouTube channel.