Working out how to revive derelict sites

By jorobinson jon robinson environment correspondent

CONSULTANTS are working to unlock the potential of five prominent neglected building sites in Nottingham.

Feasibility studies have been commissioned for each one, to help overcome the barriers that have prevented regeneration.

It is hoped the work can then be used as a template to tackle dozens of other derelict patches of land across the city as the economy improves and the appetite for new development increases.

This will have a knock-on effect of creating jobs, providing housing, attracting businesses and investment and renewing confidence in the city.

The work is being carried out as part of the Design 10 program – a partnership between the private and public sector which aims to improve the quality of architecture, urban design and public realm in Nottingham.

The five sites chosen for feasibility studies are:

Bobbers Mill, Alfreton Road, Radford.

172 to 176 Main Street, Bulwell.

The former Texaco Garage, on land between Meadows Way, Ryehill Street and Truman's Road, The Meadows.

Land between Vernon Road, Bulwell Lane and Southwark Street, Old Basford.

The former Southwark Junior School, Southwark Street, Old Basford.

Mike Taylor, regeneration director at Nottingham Regeneration Ltd, said: "This exercise is about identifying constraints and route maps going forward on how to unlock these development sites.

"It will look at whether there are ways of extending the site, and unpicking planning, and challenging perceived understanding about the use of those sites.

"The idea is to identify a template or mechanism of how we can unlock these sites, then we can extend that across the city."

The results of the studies are expected at the start of March.

Nils Feldmann, design director at Marchini Curran architects and a member of the Design 10 board, said: "In 2010, there might not be much development on site but this year will give us and everyone else a chance to prepare further work."

Andrew Purvis, associate at Maber architects, said Design 10 would help ensure that the best principles were used to improve the built environment in Nottingham.

"The built environment is the thing we live in every day and it should be of the highest quality it can be."

Supporters of Design 10 include the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment (Cabe), Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Regeneration Ltd.

It is recognised as an exemplar project for bringing the public and private sectors together to work toward a common goal – ensuring development is competitive and viable as well as being of high quality.

Paul Lavelle, adviser for Cabe, said: "Cabe has backed Nottingham's design initiative since 2006 and there have been some real successes, such as Old Market Square and the streets and public spaces of the Lace Market.

"We continue to support the city's ambition to improve quality of life by creating great places.

"There is a lot that other cities can learn from Nottingham so we are keen to showcase what it has achieved by insisting on good design."

jon.robinson@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk