By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Part of Nottingham’s Guildhall building could be turned into hundreds of student flats and a food hall fit for 500 diners.
The historic building, built in 1887, was once home to the city’s Magistrates’ Court along with the former fire and police stations.
Now, developer Vita Group has submitted plans which could see the former fire and police stations turned into 967 student rooms, a gym, dance studio, co-study spaces, cinema and games rooms.
There would also be a Market Food Hall for around 500 diners to enjoy food from local vendors.
Vita Group said the plans have been “designed to sit within its surroundings sensitively and sustainably on Shakespeare Street, North Church Street and South Sherwood Street and will complement the existing plans already approved for a hotel on the Guildhall site”.
But Hilary Silvester, the executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, said: “We are absolutely opposed to the demolition of this historic building.
“We don’t want these new buildings on the site. We would like to see the fire station retained and a new use found for it. We think they should be listed too.
“The building is very well loved by many people and this is the wrong place for that development of that height.”
Another part of the guildhall building, which is Grade II listed, is earmarked for a luxury hotel after Nottingham City Council ceased use of the building in 2010.
The concept for the student accommodation, named House of Social, is designed to retain second and third-year students in the city, “relieving the pressures this demand currently puts on the local housing stock”.
Mark Oakes, Chief Commercial Officer for Vita Group said: “A vastly underutilised redevelopment opportunity, Guildhall has the potential to be one of Nottingham’s major landmarks once again, bringing significant investment to the city and a historically important building back to life.
“The plans aim to create best-in-class student accommodation with outstanding amenities, whilst also easing pressures on local housing stock. The Market Food Hall will create a go-to destination for all the city to enjoy, providing the perfect backdrop for exciting new independent restauranteurs to bring their new ventures to people across the region.”
