Nottingham's oldest town house to be restored
A PROJECT to restore a 17th Century town house in the Lace Market has been given the go ahead.
The building at 41 Pilcher Gate has been derelict for up to 20 years.
Featuring a fine sweeping staircase, it is one of the last remaining run-down buildings in the Lace Market and is believed to be the oldest town house in Nottingham.
Nottingham City Council has now approved a £2m renovation to convert the listed building into six apartments and two offices surrounding a courtyard.
The project is a partnership between Metropolitan Housing Trust, architects Franklin Ellis, and developer and owner of the building, Bildurn. But they are seeking public money to complete the renovation.
Deborah Higgins, of Metropolitan Housing, said the flats would provide affordable housing and fill in "one of the last pieces of the Lace Market jigsaw".
She said: "We have put a lot of time and energy into getting this far; we have been greatly helped by the council's officers and hope that we can arrive at a solution that can be delivered. We still need a lot of support to bring this great scheme to fruition."
Metropolitan would take ownership of the restored building, which was originally built as a town house for the Sherwin family between 1689 and 1699.
It has blighted the Lace Market for many years, being seen as commercially unviable project by developers.
Now, Metropolitan has put together a financial package to fund the development, but the housing association is believed to be about £600,000 short. It has approached the East Midlands Development Agency, the Housing Corporation and Nottingham City Council about funds.
Ms Higgins said: "The scheme has projected costs of £2m but there is a significant gap.
"In the next stage it is hoped that major regional partners will be persuaded that this regeneration is a superb scheme for the area and will provide significant economic and community benefits. We are getting there. The help of regional agencies is now crucial."
Sean Akin, of Bildurn, said: "This is one of the oldest buildings in the Lace Market, which is currently seen by most people as an eyesore. The proposals to restore the building to its original residential use are an important move in the right direction."
Chairman of the city council development control committee Coun Chris Gibson said: "This is one of the most charming buildings in a forgotten corner of the Lace Market. I welcome plans to bring it back into use."
Coun Cat Arnold added: "It was beautiful once and could be beautiful again. It would be a crime to get rid of it. Let's save it."
8 Comments
by A G @ Beeston, notts
Sunday, September 21 2008, 5:50PM
“This cannot be right, yes the building needs to be renovated, But this property is owned by Bildurn Ltd, due they not have a duty of care, the Akins family have just completed the Pod and Lace market sq apartments, millions of pounds, so why are the tax payers of Nottingham being asked for money, why, I agree with the other readers plenty of empty flats , houses already in the Lace Market, Times are hard ,councillors should really look at spending priorities. Bildurn Ltd is owned by multimillionaires.
They should be made to maintain there own buildins, and noy tax payers. Its not right.”
by Lesta, Lace Market
Sunday, September 21 2008, 3:46PM
“"But they are seeking public money to complete the renovation." and "Metropolitan would take ownership of the restored building". I bet they will. Will they pay back the £600k plus interest or will it sit as a charge on the property ? If the project isn't financially viable then it shouldn't go ahead. The market is flooded with unsaleable apartments and the housing market is dropping like a stone and these chancers expect the taxpayer to sub their risk and guarantee them a profit. No way !!”
by harry stotle, The City
Saturday, September 20 2008, 4:35PM
“This building is an eyesore and has no architectural merit. If it was financially viable to renovate it the work would have been done years ago when the housing boom was in full swing. I was under the impression that social housing was supposed to be cheap and at £333k per flat I don't think this project qualifies. The City Council need reminding that their job is to provide good value services to taxpayers, not figure out ever more wasteful ways to chuck their money away.”
by Ann, Bilborough
Saturday, September 20 2008, 3:52PM
“How wonderful to know that this beautiful building is to be restored but i dont think council money should be put towards it , If the Metropolitan wants this building then they should finance the project . But also i wonder what they call affordable as some housing they provide is not what i would call afforable .”
by DIANE, Nottingham
Saturday, September 20 2008, 1:23PM
“I think it's good that this building is to be restored no matter how the cash is raised. The Lace Market area is lovely and anyone can enjoy seeing it. It would be a shame if penny pinching and bickering over who pays got in the way of improvements to the city which in the long term benefit all of us”
by andrew, nottingham
Saturday, September 20 2008, 11:14AM
“it is about time this building was renovated, it has been empty for years,and has been left to rot. But why should the tax payer pay for the work, who are the original owners. If the original owners can not be found, then private contractors should pay for it themselves, this building has no benefit to Joe public. No money should come from public funds for this project, especially has council has already said it has no money for rejuvenating Victoria baths.”
by confused, Nottingham
Saturday, September 20 2008, 9:35AM
“I am confused........
So the rate payers money is being asked for by private companys to restore six apartments and two offices. Surely we see a surplus of apartments around the city at the moment !!! and there will be plenty of available office space once the parking levy comes in !!!! I for one will be vey disgusted if my money is given to porperty developers to make money with. Oh and a little reminder to the council there is anothera rticle recently in th post that we have no council money for regeneration of Sneinton baths .
I am disgusted and confused !!!!!”
by LADY MUCK, EASTWOOD astwood to you common people
Saturday, September 20 2008, 9:23AM
“Very much reminds me when LORD MUCK & ONES SELF took on the project of restoring EASTWOOD PALACE. A big thanks to brotowe council with out there donation EASTWOOD PALACE would be gone for ever. THANK YOU”