New performance venue set for green light
IT WILL MEAN DEMOLITION OF SEVERAL PROPERTIES
DERBY’S aim to have a new performance venue by 2025 could move a step nearer tomorrow when the city’s planning control committee is expected to give it the go-ahead.
This is despite concerns from a number of conservationists and architects about the value of demolishing two properties in Becket Street – Padley House and 6 Becket Street – and the architectural merit of the new performance venue.
But a large number of business organisations and MP Pauline Latham have written letters to the city council supporting the £45 million venue.
The planning control committee will be asked to give the go-ahead to the demolition of the properties, erection of the performance venue and approve the arrangements for vehicular and pedestrian access, highway infrastructure amendments, landscaping, public realm, and associated works.
The principle of demolishing Laurie House, the NCP car park, former nightclubs and the Pennine Hotel in Colyear Street was already decided during the outline planning application.
The committee report says that it is proposed that Colyear Street would be narrowed to a single one-way lane. This is based on the need to maximise public space outside the performance venue and provide a largely traffic-free link with the nearby public square and is considered by the applicant St James Securities as an essential design feature.
For some events, it is proposed to close off Colyear Street to all vehicular traffic for a period of time in advance of an event starting, during and after the event finishes in order to ensure that the area in front of the performance venue can be given over to pedestrians, providing a safe and secure area for them.
This would probably happen during large concerts, of which there will be an estimated 29 per year where there is an average attendance of around 3,000 people, and it is assumed that it is only these events that will require the closure of Colyear Street
It is likely that Colyear Street will be closed around two hours before the start of the event and for one hour afterwards – around 5pm to midnight.
The performance venue will be serviced via Becket Street and a proposed service yard includes space for two HGVs and two tour bus coaches.
The venue would be forward funded and owned by Derby City Council and run by ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment, sports, and exhibition experiences around the world.
It is projected that it would host more than 200 cultural and commercial events each year and attract an additional 250,000 visitors to Derby.
It is also expected it would create more than 200 local jobs, generate more than £10 million per year for the area and increase levels of investment in surrounding areas of the city centre.
The city’s key stakeholders, including D2N2 LEP, the East Midlands Chamber, the University of Derby, Marketing Derby, Grainger plc, Derbion, Derby Live, Déda, QUAD, Derby College Group, Pauline Latham MP, the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter BIDS have written to the council expressing their overwhelming support for the project.
Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber wrote: “For a long while now, Derby has been crying out for a venue such as the one proposed and has become something of an anomaly among similar-sized cities with regards to its lack of such a destination.
“These plans are exciting, timely and we believe can play a major part in achieving the shared vision for a vibrant, thriving Derby.”
And Mrs Latham, Mid Derbyshire MP said: “This proposed development is key to bringing strong economic benefits to the city, including creating a wealth of jobs as well as contributing to the objectives of Derby’s Recovery Plan, including the decarbonisation of the city.
“The site has been an under-utilised area of the city for 20 years and currently attracts anti-social behaviour. This development is crucial to the development of the city and will improve its reputation, attracting visitors and commercial investment.
“The venue will create a vibrant and exciting environment and will increase footfall to an area which is currently not utilised.”
The performance venue is part of a £200 million regeneration plan for the Becketwell and Duckworth Square area.
Work on phase one of the scheme is currently under way, with the construction of 259 one and two-bedroom apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store in Victoria Street, which will be funded, acquired, and operated by Grainger plc, market leaders in the UK build to rent and private rented sector, and new public square, with completion scheduled for spring 2023.
The planning control meeting will take place from 6pm tomorrow and is broadcast live on the city council’s YouTube channel.
This development is crucial to the development of the city and will improve its reputation.
MP Pauline Latham