Portland hotel once

The popular haunt of railwaY workers

A HISTORIC former Derby pub which was once a regular haunt for the city’s railway workers could converted into apartments.

Derby-based Universal Real Estate has applied to Derby City Council to turn the old Portland Hotel, in London Road, Wilmorton, into 28 selfcontained studio apartments.

The Portland Hotel is a building steeped in history. According to the planning application, it was built between 1878 and 1884 as part of a mix of commercial and residential properties that were constructed to serve the city’s railway industry.

The building itself was constructed using brick in Queen Anne style.

But a couple of years ago, the pub closed and for a short time was occupied by a business called Enzo Ceramica.

The pub has since stood empty for almost a year but now looks set to be brought back into use.

Currently, the three-storey building has a vacant ground floor, five selfcontained flats on the first floor and one flat on the second. There is also an outbuilding/garage.

The plans submitted by A P Design and Surveying, on behalf of Universal Real Estate, say: “The owner is looking to provide additional and improved accommodation to an area where there is strong demand.

“The proposal will re-use an empty The Portland Hotel in London Road, Wilmorton property for residential use, including the use of vacant and underused floor space.

“It will not affect the privacy of adjoining neighbours as no windows of the proposals directly face these properties.”

The Portland Hotel is a locally listed building but the application states that no alterations to the outside of the building are planned.

It said: “Consideration is given to the listed status of the building and the windows will remain in situ, with no additional external alterations to the building’s fabric.”

The apartments will be served by a “restricted” number of parking spaces, but the plans argue that the Portland’s location close to amenities and transport links should reduce the need for cars.

It said: “The proposal is within walking distance of shops and is on a regular bus route into Derby city centre, which will discourage dependence on cars and encourage sustainable living.”