Plans to demolish and replace the Assembly Rooms remain “absolutely on track” according to the Derby City Council leader – but she has refused to give a timeframe. The former performance venue on Derby’s Market Place has stood empty for more than ten years following a serious fire in 2014.
Following years of talks as well as twists and turns over plans about the building, demolition works were due to take place in the “late autumn”. But concerns over a planning condition and ongoing uncertainty about the venue’s permanent replacement meant the demolition work was put on hold by the Labour-led council.
It was hoped a postponement would mean subsequent construction work could take place consecutively without the site standing vacant for a long period of time.
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Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield has said plans to demolish the venue are “on track” with plans for new office space and a four-star hotel “very close” to moving forward. It is hoped the plans will deliver a new “cultural heart” for the city.
However, the plans first need to go to through the planning permission process and a form of public consultation before any demolition work can restart, it is understood.
Earlier this year the council announced VINCI Developments and ION Developments as its development partners to transform the Assembly Rooms site. The council continues to work with the firms closely and meetings are taking place to discuss the latest plans.
Councillor Peatfield said: “I met with Da Vinci and ION recently and we had a really positive meeting and we are very close to seeing some initial designs for that public space. It is the fine-tuning of that public space which is so important.
“This is a huge project. It has been a long time coming but it will be a long time standing. It’s really important we get it right.”
Read more – Derby’s Assembly Rooms car park will not reopen despite demolition reprieve
Councillor Peatfield was asked about timeframes. She said she did not wish to give a time estimate for demolition at this stage but said she was “desperate” to see it demolished “as soon as possible next year (2025)”.
She added: “I have every confidence we will be able to deliver it as soon as possible. We have to move forward with the planning process and we know that takes time. We can push as hard as we can on the planning decision but what is less in our control is the consultation.
“I don’t want to give a timeline because I don’t want to give any false hope or be kept to a deadline I can’t meet. But I am desperate to get that building demolished as soon as possible next year (2025).”
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