Plans for apartments above row of city shops
IDEA IS WELCOMED BUT CONCERNS RAISED OVER PARKING
PLANS have been submitted for 11 apartments to be built above retail units in a Derby suburb.
Currently, there is mainly empty space and offices above the shops in Wiltshire Road, Chaddesden. Yield Developments Ltd, of Colchester, has applied to Derby City Council for permission to infill the existing walls to create 10 two-bedroom apartments and one single-bedroom apartment.
The new main entrance would be formed from part of the central vacant unit of three at the front of the building and one of the apartments “will be designed to wheelchair standards”.
The entire property, which is situated adjacent to the former Art Deco-style Blue Boy Hotel, was purpose-built in the 1960s as a retail promenade with sheer walls to the first floor to potentially create future floor space. At some point the rear first floor was converted for additional office space.
The design and access statement adds that with the addition of windows and balconies to the first floor of the building – which is currently a blank concrete wall – the proposal will “enhance the overall look of the street scene”.
The apartments will be for sale after they are completed. A secondary fire exit stairwell, a cycle store and bin storage area are also included in the application at the side of the building towards the rear, which is accessed on the right of the retail block. Twelve public parking spaces serving the shops already exist outside the retail units and there are no plans to create new parking spaces to accompany the apartments’ development.
The application says: “There will be no allocated parking but the property is on a major bus route and cycle stores have been included in the proposal.”
Ward councillor Tracey Ward said: “I haven’t see the full plans yet but if the space is being put into use to make it a similar set up to the rest of the surrounding area I would welcome more accommodation for the area.
“It might be worth us requesting that the car park and other areas of the shopping area are tidied up at the same time as this will also be taking some of the shopping centre parking spaces.”
The planning application is likely to be decided in the next eight to 12 weeks, unless objections are received and it has to be taken to the city’s planning control committee.
I would welcome more accommodation for the area.
Councillor Tracey Ward