NEW PLANS REVEALED FOR DERBYSHIRE ROYAL INFIRMARY SITE

Proposals to redevelop the 20 acre former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary (DRI) site have been revealed by DLG Architects.On behalf its client, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, DLG has drawn up major plans with a scheme that will include a 140,000 sq ft hotel and conference/convention space, 450 apartments, up to 300,000 sq ft campus-style office complex and a 50,000 sq ft retail element.

The London Road site is currently owned and occupied by Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which will relocate the majority of its services in April 2009 to a new £350 million Derby City General Hospital on Uttoxeter Road.DLG’s proposals also retains some of the facilities on London Road for medical use including rehabilitation, key out patient services and existing mental health wards.

A key objective of the DRI proposals is to enhance the already pleasant environment of London Road into a quality piece of sustainable townscape and public realm.The northern area of the site adjacent to Bradshaw Way and the retail centre of the town will be enhanced through the introduction of a mixed use development containing a high grade hotel, retail with associated car parking and a quality office development.

Neil Swift, Associate Director of DLG Architects in Leeds comments: “The important junction of London Road and Bradshaw Way offers a great opportunity as a gateway to the city centre and could be marked by the introduction of an iconic landmark building.This could take the form of a hotel with additional conference facilities at its base.

“This has the potential to enhance the setting of the listed towers on the site and add a further exciting architectural element to London Road.”

Russell Rigby, Director of Rigby and Co, a Derby based commercial property consultancy and advisors on the redevelopment plans continues to explain: “Active retail frontages will be introduced at ground floor level on London Road and will also turn the corner onto Bradshaw Way.Having an impressive glazed retail/commercial frontage opposite Westfield Derby on the town’s inner ring road will be an attractive prospect for potential retailers.”

A further commercial mixed use development will be introduced to the South West of London Road.The original hospital buildings including the listed towers will be retained if viable for conversion into either office or residential use.Furthermore new buildings will be introduced to enhance the existing buildings to create a ‘campus’ courtyard style arrangement.

Finally, residential development will be focused along the fringes of Osmaston Road with its traditional Victorian /Georgian residential grain to the East. It is possible that this development could be a mixture of smaller apartment blocks reflecting traditional Victorian Villas forms and larger apartment blocks should the market demand.

Brian Ibell, Assistant Chief Executive for Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Project Director comments: “These proposals present a unique opportunity for the city of Derby and could make a massive difference to the eastern fringes of Derby’s City Centre.Providing a different mix of buildings on the surplus land will in turn optimise the overall investment back into healthcare.”

Both DLG and The Trust believe the plans would act as a catalyst for massive economic change in the area with the ripple effect helping to raise standards of housing and attract more investment to the city.

DLG aims to submit an application along with consultants Signet Planning before the end of the year and Rigby & Co will market the potential site immediately afterwards.Meaning work could start on site as soon as autumn 2009.