Proposals lodged to redevelop Derby’s historic Friar Gate Goods Yard

Applications have been lodged for the redevelopment of Derby’s historic Friar Gate Goods Yard four decades after the derelict site containing 150-year-old listed buildings was acquired for redevelopment and three years after it was damaged in an arson attack.  

Wavensmere Homes and Clowes Developments have submitted a bid to transform the Bonded Warehouse and Engine House which date back to the 19th century into 111,275sq ft of commercial space, 227 houses and 49 apartments. 

Friar Gate Goods Yard has been in the ownership of the Clowes family for over 40 years, with a number of options for redevelopment proposed but not progressed due to heritage constraints.

The Friar Gate Goods Yard was built as the main goods depot for the Great Northern Railway line, to handle coal, livestock, timber, and metals. The Bonded Warehouse building contained warehouse space and offices and was used as a store for the American Army in WWII.

The Engine House was also built for the Railway by Kirk & Randall of Sleaford. It is Italianate in style and built from Welsh slate roofs. 

The Engine House supplied power to the hydraulic lifts and capstans at the Bonded Warehouse. The site first became derelict in 1967, and overtime became overgrown and fell into a poor state of repair. 

An arson attack took place at the Goods Yard in 2020, which exposed the whole inner iron structure of the two historic buildings.

The design for redevelopment by Glancy Nicholls Architects incorporates the views of more than 200 respondents to a public consultation process and includes a painstaking restoration of the original buildings.

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The proposed commercial area will include office spaces, health and fitness facilities and restaurants. A new community space is also proposed for the elevated area adjacent to Friar Gate Bridge. The outdoor area would include new public parks and play spaces.

New roads, pedestrian and cycle access would be created from Uttoxeter New Road, Great Northern Way, and Friar Gate, with the Mick Mack cycling route also extended.

“This is the most comprehensive planning application we have ever submitted,” James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said in a statement.

“We have fully 3D modelled the entirety, which has enabled us to present how the buildings could be carefully brought back to life. 

“The opportunity to work collaboratively to reanimate this landmark city centre site is an honour and the plans showcase our vision, fine attention to detail, and bold investment into this nationally important regeneration project.”

Adam McPartland, director of Glancy Nicholls Architects, said: “The Friar Gate Goods Yard redevelopment plans illustrate the millions of pounds that need to be invested into saving these distressed 150-year-old listed buildings.”   

The development would feature curved and terraced streets, a four-storey apartment building containing 49 apartments, and would reinstate the lost streetscape of the Stafford Street frontage, with retention of some of the original railway arch facades. 

All the new homes and commercial spaces would have Energy Performance Certificate ratings of A, to keep energy consumption and carbon emissions to a minimum.

Wavensmere Homes is currently developing the final phases of the £175m Nightingale Quarter, located off London Road within Derby city centre.

The housebuilder says it has a pipeline of 3,500 new homes across the UK.