Bold plans revealed
APPLICATION FOR 210 APARTMENTS IN NOTTINGHAM ROAD
HUGE ambitious plans for the 3M site in Morley Street, Loughborough, have been revealed.
The company is relocating to new offices on the Charnwood Campus (the former AstraZeneca site) next month.
And now local developer Solus Homes Ltd has submitted a planning application for the former Victorian mill, which includes 210 apartments and is a mix of residential, office, retail and leisure facilities
HUGE ambitious plans for the 3M site in Morley Street, Loughborough, have been revealed.
The science-based technology company has occupied the historic former hosiery mill building since the early 1950s and is relocating to new offices on the Charnwood Campus (the former AstraZeneca site) next month.
And now local developer Solus Homes Ltd has submitted a planning application for the former Victorian mill, which includes 210 apartments and is a mix of residential, office, retail and leisure facilities.
The proposal includes demolition of a 1980s’ extension to the existing building, but the old mill and its landmark chimney will remain.
The design and access statement with the application states the re-development of the site will: “Create a mix of 1 and 2 bed good quality apartments appealing to a variety of market sectors, from young professionals to retirement living and small family accommodation.
“The scheme should feature a mix of residential, office, retail and leisure offering and the developers aim is to form a community “village” setting providing key services to residents and the wider community with great access to Loughborough’s town centre and railway station.”
The scheme would see the creation of two new offices fronting Nottingham Road and two new apartment blocks.
There would be a convenience food retail store and hot food café / restaurant, fronting the Nottingham Road and railway station approach.
There is also a proposal for the creation of public external space fronting the canal side and the formation of an urban play area for residents and families at the heart of the development.
The statement says that an added bonus of the application was that it would provide provision for the adjacent Preci Spark Ltd engineering company to expand.
“The company (Preci Spark) state that the business expansion option offered to them as part of this scheme will satisfy their requirements, secure an existing 304 jobs and create an additional 90 jobs over the next five years.
The application also states that there had been interest expressed by the Co-op and Tesco for the sites convenience store.
It added that Costa Coffee had also expressed initial interest in the coffee shop.
Solus Homes Ltd owner Mark Horsnall told the Echo that the site would help the planning desire to make that part of Loughborough a gateway into the town.
He said: “It’s an amazing development and would be a real asset.”