First Eastside go-ahead despite 'underwhelming' design
THE first application for a building on the eagerly anticipated Eastside Regeneration Zone has been given planning consent – despite politicians describing its design as "underwhelming".
The large seven-storey glass and terra cotta office block – planned to go next to the East Midlands Development Agency building – was given planning consent yesterday.
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The 'underwhelming' building that has got the green light
However, councillors told the meeting that "first-class design" was needed to generate more business interest in the rest of the 13.7 hectare regeneration zone.
Coun Malcolm Wood told the meeting: "We have a golden opportunity here to do something substantial.
"I have to say I am underwhelmed by the iconic building we are proposing to start this off."
He said it would be better for councillors to see designs earlier on in the planning process.
"I think we have got the opportunity here to do something pretty dynamic," he said.
"Frankly I have not got the confidence we are going to deliver."
The 10,000 square metre building, by Eastside and City Developments, in Saville Row, London, is proposed to open onto Popular Street and Lace Way and accommodate 750 workers.
It will have a ground floor car park which will be hidden from the public eye.
Coun Cat Arnold told the meeting: "I do think it is important we have a first-class design if we are going to attract business, especially when the competition is tough.
"The problem I really have is it does have a 1960s look to it. It is monolithic."
Coun Rob Lee said: "I am quite excited about by the prospect of the finished development on the entire site. I do feel the quality of the buildings should be of such a high standard that it will be encouraging for businesses to come to Nottingham."
Coun Graham Chapman, deputy leader of the city council, had however said before the meeting that the application was "welcome" and that he was "delighted someone is willing to take a risk given the state of the economy".
Councillors granted planning permission, subject to some minor conditions.
They also agreed to the master plan for the regeneration zone, which is earmarked for new shops, offices, and flats around a large water feature.
Commercial buildings will be built first, starting at the north end of the site, behind the BBC buildings, followed by infrastructure, such as roads and drains, the water feature, and then residential property.
The plan is to have commercial buildings at the edge of the development, with residential property in the middle. The scheme will be developed during the next 15 years.
The city council pointed out that completion of the scheme would depend upon the economy.
9 Comments
by Plonk, Heanor at work
Friday, April 24 2009, 12:52AM
“Nick let me expand on your comments, the shoddily constructed structures made from polystyrene blocks and rendered, and the cheap and nasty single ply roofing systems which have no wear value in the real world.
Glass filled structures which need substantial air conditioning systems to keep them cool through most of the year.”
by Nick, City Centre
Thursday, April 23 2009, 11:00PM
“Sam, I understand Specsavers will have a branch in the new Trinity Square development. You need to get down there as soon as they open.
But seriously, how can you say that it will look fantastic when the shops open. The grey girder structure facing the piazza (don't laugh) looks as though it was knocked up from the bits left over from a motorway construction project. It has not one redeeming feature - it is crude to the nth degree.
And if you care to above the development's ground floor it looks as though the architect lost interest in the project.”
by Stanley, London
Thursday, April 23 2009, 8:52PM
“What we need is a high quality tall building to breathe some excitement into the area. And a tall building means 40 storeys or so, not the usual midrise stumps”
by Dom, Nottingham
Thursday, April 23 2009, 8:40PM
“Sam, you're right in saying Trinity Square will look far better when the retail units have been filled; they will breathe life into it. However, Litmus is, in my opinion, a planning disaster - take away the cheap-looking coloured panels and we are left with a typical 70s-style concrete box. Meanwhile, Marco Island, the blue and white building near by, has destroyed the views down Parliament Street. All I can deduce is that some of these councillors may well be accepting back-handers.”
by Sam, Notts
Thursday, April 23 2009, 7:50PM
“I don't necessarily agree. Wait till there are shops in trinity square and it will look amazing. Southreef will look fantastic and so will Picture Works. This first building on the Eastside is OK but hopefully the rest will be much better. Btw, The Pod is amazing and so is Litmus and so is Shakespeare street.”
by The Equaliser, Nottingrad
Thursday, April 23 2009, 7:13PM
“MORE BOXES IN THE STYLE OF THE SIXTIES . . .
NICK HAS GOT IT RIGHT!”
by Dave, Daves bedroom
Thursday, April 23 2009, 2:38PM
“Unfortunately steel and glass is very easy to throw up. So it is economic considerations that take precedent over the aesthetic value a building. So expect more of these 'cheap to build' developments.”
by inoff the Red, Peoples Republic of Sneinton
Thursday, April 23 2009, 8:45AM
“Nick,
The mistakes made in the 60's and 70's were partly down to the involvement of an architect named Poulson who subsequently spent a few years in prison for corruption.
When the planners should have sticking to their principles for landmark buildings they have bottled it.
When planners come out with weasel words but still allow the erection of a poor building one wonders whether times have really changed.”
by Nick, City Centre
Thursday, April 23 2009, 8:06AM
“We spent thirty-odd years regretting the architectural mistakes of the 1960s and yet we learned nothing.
Every recent development in the city centre has been a disaster, creating a succession of shoddily built, architecturally inept sheds which reached its nadir with the Trinity Square fiasco.
Who remembers the fine talk (and artist's impressions) of a landmark open space to replace the old multi-storey car park? Instead we have been lumbered with a development whose cheapness and crudeness knows no bottom. Would any sane architect admit to being responsible?
And with the Eastside it looks like more of the same. And dare I say it, the reviled Maid Marion Way towers will probably outlast all the buildings the developers have thrown up in the past decade or so.
Things are that bad.”