Fire-hit Canning Circus eyesore being transformed into flats

Alfreton Road Site Nottingham Canning Circus
The derelict site on Canning Circus.

Plans to transform a derelict fire-hit site in Nottingham into 35 flats have been given the go-ahead.

The land and derelict shops at Alfreton Road, Canning Circus, are being developed by Cosybox, a property company with major plans to redevelop the area.

Nottingham City Council approved plans on Wednesday (October 17) to build the new apartment block, ending years of limbo the site.

Its unkempt two-storey buildings will be demolished to make room for the new development, which will also include commercial units and could dramatically improve the look of one of the main routes into the city.

Buildings on the site have caught fire several times in the past two years, often causing long traffic delays.

Dominic Rice, director at Cosybox, said: “The site has been neglected for a long time and is an exciting opportunity to transform an area of Nottingham which could really benefit from the planned improvements.”

fire,crews,canning,circus
Fire crews in attendance at a fire on the site in February which led to road closures and long delays.

Thomas Gray from the Footman’s Rest, a restaurant opposite the site, is one of the local businesses which have been supportive of the plans.

He said: “This has been an awful nuisance site for far too long with squatters causing fires and anti-social behaviour, these plans will give a much-needed boost to the neighbourhood.”

Holly Smith, partner at Knights 1759, a professional services firm which helped Cosybox develop the application,  said: “This high-quality scheme will breathe new life into the disused area of Canning Circus which has been vacant for many years.”

Timescales for the project are yet to be confirmed.