Derbyshire Royal Infirmary site earmarked for “new neighbourhood”

Plans to redevelop the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary into a new neighbourhood with up to 500 homes and space for restaurants, offices and bars have been submitted.The Derbyshire Royal Infirmary opened in 1894. It was declared surplus to requirements and replaced by the Royal Derby Hospital with the transfer of services completing in 2010.The proposals for its redevelopment to create the “Nightingale Quarter” were prepared by Nightingale Quarter Estates Ltd, which acquired the site in 2015.They have earmarked the site for 500 homes and a maximum of 10,763 sq ft of space for retail use. The scheme will also include 5,830 sq ft of restaurant space and 11,840 sq ft for offices, leisure and bar use.The dwellings will be a mix of one and two bed apartments and homes with between two and four bedrooms.The fresh proposals come almost five years after outline permission was granted for an NHS-led scheme, which included housing, a supermarket and care home.A document prepared by GVA on behalf of csaid “changes in market requirements” sparked plans for a new development.The Nightingale Quarter will also encompass the grade II-listed Wilderslowe House, which dates back to 1819, and numbers 123 to 129a Osmaston Road, which were built between the 1860s and 1900.The statue of Queen Victoria will be restored and retained, along with the pepper pot building, which developers hope will be a “focal point” and “an anchor to new public spaces”.The application is now being considered by Derby City Council’s planning officers.