By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
A new pedestrian and cycle path will be built in Nottingham to provide better links to the new Island Quarter development site.
The huge development site, which sits beside the Nottingham and Beeston Canal and stretches between London Road and Manvers Street, was purchased by investment and property developer Conygar in 2016.
Phase one of the Island Quarter opened in autumn 2022 and features the canal-side Binks Yard and Cleaver and Wake restaurant led by Masterchef winner Laurence Henry.
A 228-room hotel, hundreds of residential apartments, office space, events and social forums and student accommodation will be delivered as part of additional phases in the future.
Conygar has been given permission by Nottingham City Council to build a new pedestrian and cycle path from the Canal Turn plaza area, across the existing Premier Inn car park and towards City Link to provide better access to the site.
The council’s planning officers said in an assessment of the proposals: “The proposed development represents a minor but welcome improvement to pedestrian and cycle connectivity at this point on The Island Quarter development, enabling public access from City Link both to the Canal Turn building and future The Island Quarter developments, but also to the edge of the Nottingham Canal footpath and basin.”
Some of the car parking spaces will be moved to make way for the new route, and it will be bordered with a fence and landscaping.
Nottingham City Council’s Highways department said it was concerned over the width of the proposed cycle path, which will be around 2.5 metres-wide.
However it says the benefits outweigh the concerns.
“Highways’ recommendation for approval is noted,” documents add.
“Highways’ detailed comments refer a requirement any new cycle and pedestrian link to be built to a minimum of 3m in width with hard-bound permeable material and associated lighting.
“This has been raised with the applicant, who has advised that this width is not able to be achieved under the terms agreed with the landowners. It is noted that the highway adjacent to the site is not adopted.
“It is considered that the benefits in providing the improved connectivity significantly outweigh the constraint in width.”
According to the developers connectivity and sustainable travel are key features of the area’s masterplan.
Pedestrian and cycle access is being prioritised throughout the development to help link into the existing city networks to promote easy access and integration into the wider area.
The development will also benefit from significant green spaces throughout, with intentions to incorporate significant shading through tree canopy coverage.