DCLG secretary of state Eric Pickles has approved proposals for a mixed use housing-led scheme at a former hospital site in Derby which will involve the demolition of an Edwardian listed building (LB) opposed by the city council.
Derby Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust wanted to develop the site of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary on London Road. Its scheme, known as the Nightingale Quarter, will include a Morrisons store, about 400 new homes, office floor space and the provision of a café/restaurant/public house and car-parking.
Pickles agreed with the recommendations of the planning inspector who held an inquiry earlier this year. The Secretary of State’s decision letter insisted there was ‘no persuasive evidence that the proposal would be likely to undermine the vitality and viability of the city centre’.
Pickles concluded that the development would bring ‘significant benefits which would substantially outweigh any harm which might be perceived related to the absence of a retail designation in the local plan, the effect on heritage assets or any other matter.’
The city council said it would comment once it had studied the report in detail.
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