Planning permission has been granted for the £3m conversion of a dilapidated Victorian mill in Derby into 64 apartments.
Derby City Council has approved the application for conversion of the former Osmaston Works building, in Osmaston Road, which was formerly home to adult swingers’ club The Attic.
Nottingham-based Swish Architecture submitted the planning application on behalf of mill owner ALB Group to fully regenerate the site, creating housing for the area.
In addition to the planned 64 one- and two-bed apartments, ALB Group will be refurbishing a two-bed terraced home on the site, incorporating a gym on the ground floor of the three-storey mill building and adding residents’ parking bays.
The development, which is expected to be completed by next summer, represents phase one of a two-phase project. The second phase, which is yet to be registered for planning, involves the construction of a stand-alone apartment block of around 40 units with associated parking.
Arran Bailey, managing director of Nottingham-based ALB Group, said: “Together with Swish Architecture, we have worked extremely closely with the team at Derby City Council to agree a scheme that will really benefit this area of Derby.
“We’re delighted that our plans have been approved and look forward to delivering this much-needed housing – as well as creating a much brighter future for this impressive piece of Derby’s industrial heritage.”
Remedial works have already begun on the ground floor of the imposing mill building under a ‘permitted development’ agreement that had previously been granted.
Nottingham-based Hallsgrove Construction Limited has been appointed as the main contractor for the project.
The refurbishment of the main mill building will include the installation of new aluminium double-glazed windows to the front elevation, to ensure the end-result is in keeping with the existing heritage while providing an essential modern thermal upgrade.
ALB Group is no stranger to reclaiming and regenerating large-scale historical buildings that have fallen into disrepair.
In recent years it has successfully transformed Draycott’s Victoria Mill into 73 luxury apartments.
The firm has also submitted a planning application for the £4m refurbishment and restoration of the historic Bridge Mills complex in Long Eaton.
Having purchased the site more than three years ago, ALB Group is now seeking to convert the space that has, up to now, been occupied by businesses into 82 residential apartments. It will continue to offer short-term lets to businesses while the planning process is underway.
ALB Group is also behind the transformation of Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate, having purchased more than a dozen buildings in the street, now filled with a mixture of new business tenants.
Arran said: “Many developers are fearful of taking on historic building conversions, as it is so much easier to create new-build schemes. But we are determined to protect the amazing heritage of our local towns and cities – and it’s a genuine buzz for us when we see our work breathe new life into these often run-down areas.”
