Flats plan for former children’s charity HQ
DEVELOPER WANTS TO CONVERT DISUSED SITE INTO 16 APARTMENTS
PLANS have been submitted to turn the former Playworks charity building in Nottingham into flats.
The property in Alfred Street North in St Ann’s, which was previously used as a recording studio, was more recently occupied by the Playworks charity, which worked with young people in the area.
It’s been disused since March 2019, however, when the charity closed due to a lack of funding.
Now, fresh plans have been submitted to turn the St Andrews Hall building into 16 apartments.
Applicants Hockley Developments state: “The conversion of St Andrews Hall will help bring a new lease of life to the existing structure, which has been vacant since March of 2019. During the time of disuse, the structure has become rather derelict in appearance which is a shame considering the structure’s historic Victorian aesthetic.
“Therefore, the preservation of the St Andrews Hall frontage is an important aspect of this development, as it holds a substantial historic presence on Alfred Street North considering the other period structures in close proximity, such as the ‘Oldknows Factory.’
“This aims to reinforce the positive local characteristics and enhance the character and attractive identity of Alfred Street North.”
No parking will be provided if the development gets the go-ahead, with residents encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint and pursue a healthy lifestyle, being approximately 15 minutes walk from the city centre.
“To avoid future years of disuse and financial drain, the St Andrews Hall building at Alfred Street North would benefit greatly from the proposed conversion,” the application concludes. “The surrounding area will also benefit from the increased human activity levels, to promote healthy social relationships within the community and to support natural security levels of the area.
“We believe the development will deliver a vibrant residential scheme filled with a diverse mix of people from young professionals to older residents looking to downsize, supporting Nottingham City housing aspirations.”
The application will now be considered by Nottingham City Council’s planning committee.
VEGANISM is one of the fastest growing lifestyle choices globally, with more than 500,000 people pledging to ditch animal products during January – a quarter of them in Britain.
We know plant-based is better for the planet and evidence is mounting that it can lower cholesterol levels, as well as reduce rates of cancer and heart disease.
But going vegan full-time can be hard work, requiring us to put more thought into meals and ditching cakes and chocolate as well as meat.
But you can still dip a toe into the vegan lifestyle and reap the benefits.
According to leading diabetes remission doctor Ian Braithwaite, following a plant-based diet for just two days each week could be sufficient to transform your health – he even goes as far as suggesting it could help reverse type-2 diabetes.
“Committing to being vegan is a drastic lifestyle change and not realistic for everyone,” says Dr Braithwaite, CEO of online diabetes prevention and reversal programme Habitual. “However, incorporating a vegan diet for just two days a week can help you consume more whole grains, fruits, veg and nuts, as well as limiting the intake of animal products which can contribute to weight gain and the development of diseases like type-2 diabetes.”
It isn’t purely about weight loss though. “Plant-based diets also improve the secretion of insulin in people with type-2 diabetes,” says Dr Braithwaite.
Studies have discovered they help boost the production of incretin, the hormone that stimulates insulin secretion after eating food.
“Type-2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or can’t produce enough to manage high blood sugar levels.
“So incorporating a few more vegan days into your week can help to take control of this problem.”
In addition, plant-based diets boost fibre intake. While the NHS recommends adults consume 30g of fibre every day, on average we consume only 18g. Vegans have been shown to eat closer to 50g.
“Fibre is plentiful in plant-based food and plays an important role in diets, slowing the absorption of sugar and improving blood sugar levels,” says Dr Braithwaite. “It’s why a healthy diet that includes fibre has been found to reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.”
Addressing type-2 diabetes has never been more urgent. There’s a nasty irony to the fact lockdown has contributed to increasing waistbands – almost half of us say we have gained significant weight – while the virus we’re staying in to avoid has a devastating effect on those carrying excess pounds or living with diabetes.
And the pandemic has led to many new cases going undiagnosed.
“The last 12 months have seen many people gain weight, with more than one in three now
predicted to be pre-diabetic,” says Dr Braithwaite.
“However, fears of visiting the GP have prevented people from getting the help they need and with levels of diagnosis dropping by 70%, I expect the real figure to be even higher. It is likely more than 100,000 additional people are living with undiagnosed type-2 diabetes in the UK alone.”
So as well as getting ourselves checked out, perhaps it really is time we all adopted the vegan 5:2.
“Weight is directly related to the onset of type-2 diabetes and it is well reported that a vegan diet can help shed pounds,” says Dr Braithwaite.
“Avoiding meat and dairy for just two days a week will help to create healthier habits associated with food for long-term weight loss and maintenance.”
The last 12 months have seen many people gain weight, with more than one in three now predicted to be pre-diabetic
Doctor Ian Braithwaite