By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
A developer must avoid using power tools to repair the brickwork on a historic listed warehouse which sits on the banks of the Nottingham and Beeston Canal.
The Grade II listed British Waterways building, in Nottingham’s Castle Wharf, was originally built in around 1919 and used for the storage and loading of goods and materials onto canal barges.
Most recently the warehouse building was home to Wetherspoon pub, The Company Inn, which has since closed, as well as a gym and comedy club, The Glee Club, which did not renew its lease on the site.
Plans to convert the building into 95 apartments were given the green light by Nottingham City Council’s planning committee last September.
Developer H2O Urban will also be building a rooftop extension, where eight of the apartments will be located.
So the plans can go ahead, the developer has been required to submit more documents outlining what internal and external alterations are needed and how they will be carried out.
This will “allow the creation of the apartments including new lifts, staircases, secondary glazing, reception and communal lounge and other alterations,” August planning documents state.
A façade repair works plan also shows a number of existing canopies will be removed alongside the re-pointing of brickwork and joints at the base of the building.
The plan says power tools must not be used in masonry repair work, only hooked tools or masonry chisels, and prepared brick faces must be brushed down with a bristle brush.
A special and particular mortar mix is also required in repair work, while sands must comply with English Heritage specifications.
All joints must also be filled with a “uniform” 25mm of mortar.
To prevent excessive dust in the area documents also say: “Aggregates to be covered to prevent wash-out of fines and dry binders must be stored in their original packaging in an enclosed building protected from rain and damp ground.
“Lime putty and coarse stuff must be covered to prevent carbonation while in stock. All damp materials should be protected from frost.”
H2O Urban has formed a partnership between the building owner, the Canal and River Trust, and specialist partnership developer bloc group, to make full use of the building without damaging it.
The British Waterways building had been known as the Trent Navigation Company warehouse, which was converted for leisure use as part of the 1996 Castle Wharf regeneration.
Documentation submitted at the beginning of August by the Canal and River Trust also confirmed in view of the limited works, no further intrusive work is necessary.
