Video: What the Nottingham Civic Society say about the proposed new flats
Nottingham Civic Society is unhappy with plans to develop flats in Lace Market over fears it will block out Nottingham’s history.
A planning application has been submitted for 115 flats at High Pavement and Short Hill by Abode Nottingham Ltd who currently own Lace Market House.
But Nottingham Civic Society is worried about Nottingham losing its heritage due to the height of the building as they say it will hide some of the older buildings behind it, such as St Mary’s Church.
The plans will include listed buildings such as 9-10 Short Hill and 54-56 High pavement, which will become 1-3 bed apartments.
Ian Wells from the Nottingham Civic Society said that it’s a development that’s been waiting to happen for 75 years, ever since some of the buildings were bomb sites.
Nothing has been done with the building since, leading it to become an ‘eyesore’ according to Ian.
“It does need to be done with sensitivity,” he said.
“You need to be able to keep something that keeps the profile of High Pavement as it is- it is discreet, and it allows views into it because if you stand down at London Road and look up here you’ve got an absolute total slice of the city’s history.”
Ian warned that the city needs to recognise itself and its past.
“Its history is what made us, and to just block it out so that you just can’t see it, is a very backwards step,” he said.
“An awareness of heritage adds to the city’s economic development.”
According to the developers, the proposed build has been designed as a contemporary interpretation of the Lace Market aesthetic.
Aaron Levy of Abode Nottingham Ltd. said: “This is an important site in the historic heart of the city that has been vacant for decades.
“We are delighted to bring forward a scheme that will bring it back to life.”
Nick Keightley, Director of Maber Architects who are the scheme designers for the project, said: “The project represents a great opportunity to mend the historic fabric of the area, sympathetically restoring the street scene to Short Hill, as well as the cliff frontage to Malin Hill.”
