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Homes bid at Brettles site
An historic Belper building could be transformed into homes if a second planning application to develop the site is approved.
Part of the former Brettles factory shop on Chapel Street would be demolished and the stone used to build eight flats, four offices and a shop unit if plans, submitted by Chevin Property, are approved.
A separate two-storey block housing six further apartments would also be built to the rear of the building.
It is the second time the Brailsford company has applied to develop the former hosiery factory shop.
A previous application to demolish the building and replace it with a three-storey block containing 15 apartments was refused by the Amber Valley Borough Council in 2007, and again at an appeal in 2008, after inspectors said it would have an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the World Heritage Site, and affect highway safety.
In the latest application, the front of the building and the boundary wall would be retained. The rear of the building knocked down and rebuilt to create apartments and offices.
Darryn Buttrill, practice director at Bidesign Architecture, agents for the development, said: "The proposals have been designed taking into account the comments of the appeal inspectors' report together with concerns from neighbours, and have the support of both the local and county council planning officers."
Several local figures were opposed to the development when the application was first made, including Adrian Farmer, co-ordinator for the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Mr Farmer said yesterday: "I'm pleased the owner is trying to find a sustainable future for the site. It has been proven the building plays a significant role in helping us understand that part of the World Heritage Site, and is an important contributor to the historic street scene.
"This new proposal really needs to show the owners have taken on the comments made by the government inspector at the last appeal inquiry and found a new appropriate scheme for this important building."
Belper Central councillor Peter Makin now supports the proposals, but was still worried about the highways issues.
He said: "The building is falling into rack and ruin. It would be nice if it could be brought back into use, but I don't know whether the roadway concerns the planning board had initially will allow it to happen."
The building, which started life as a grammar school in the 19th century, has been vacant since the Brettles factory shop moved into the Slenderella Factory on Days Lane.
The plan is due to be determined by the council's planning board chaiman Cllr Jim Anderson by Friday, May 15. If there are any objections, then the application will then go before the entire planning board to make a decision.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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