Step forward for residential-led regeneration scheme

Proposals for a mixed-use development featuring hundreds of homes and new commercial space in Derby, which form part of a wider masterplan, have taken a step forward.Outline permission was sought for the redevelopment Derby’s Eagle Quarter site. The development team includes Eurofund Group, Leonard Design Architects, Currie & Brown, Lichfields, Bidwells and Waterman.It is primarily occupied by Eagle Market, a four-storey 1990s building with ground and lower ground level car parking, Derby Theatre and The Castle & Falcon public house.The existing buildings will be demolished or part demolished to make way for 875 homes and approximately 25,000 sq ft of commercial space.This proposal includes 11 buildings or blocks rising to a maximum of 29 storeys, providing a mix of one- to three-bed units.The plans form part of Derbion’s masterplan for the future potential of the Eagle Quarter.A design and access statement said: “The objective was to design a sustainable, community-led, residential masterplan.”This proposal would provide new high-quality homes whilst recognising Derby’s prerequisite needs for bringing people into the city whilst improving permeability and connections, as well as create a new much-needed public realm for Derby city.”A report for the committee added: “This outline permission would be accompanied by a range of conditions to ensure that all reserved matters submissions deliver high standards of overall design to meet the wider government aspiration to achieve beautiful and well-designed places and the recently published aspirations of the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities.”In my opinion the benefits of proposal, subject to the recommended conditions, would significantly and demonstrably outweigh its impacts.”The secretary of state directed the council not to grant permission on this application without specific authorisation to enable him to consider “whether he should direct under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 that the application should be referred to him for determination”.Members of the committee voted in line with the recommendation.The statement accompanying the direction said: “This direction does not, of course, prevent your council from considering the application, forming a view as to the merits or, if they are so minded, refusing permission.”