£14M APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT

The first major development in an ambitious scheme to transform Derby city centre is finally set to be built. The long-awaited £14m apartment development at the Eggleston Brothers premises, in Stuart Street, overlooking the River Derwent, will go ahead after a deal was struck this week over the sale of the land. Developer Derby City Living Ltd, of Ashbourne, has bought the 0.73-acre site from the steel stockholder, which is moving to larger premises at Centurion Way, in Alfreton Road. Derby City Living Ltd plans to build two buildings with a total of 76 luxury apartments between them.

The deal marks the completion of two years of work to get the project off the ground. The original plans, drawn up by Montague Architects Ltd, of Vernon Gate, Derby, were turned down by Derby City Council. The plan was for one building with 10 storeys. Those plans were rejected in 2000 because of the impact on the city skyline. Montague then came back with a new plan, which was for two buildings, lower in height, and at a meeting of the city council's planning committee, in June, 2001, it was approved.

But then the original developer, Miller Homes, dropped the project and that is when Derby City Living's joint directors, Dean Adams and Ian McNair, stepped in. Mr Adams said, "We're very excited and I think the people of Derby will get a development to be proud of. It will complement and enhance the city's skyline." Peter Milner, managing director of commercial property consultants Milner Associates, the firm which helped secure the Eggleston deal, said that the development marked the first step of the Derby Cityscape project.

He said, "In place of the steelworks, people will see a smart, modern building that will enhance the overall look of the city centre." Mr McNair said that building work was expected to start in January and be completed by 2005. He said, "I think the city council has always had a dream to make Derby a top 10 city. Derby Cityscape is an excellent concept and I think this is a good example of the private and public sector working together. We're pleased to be able to kick-start the scheme and make the vision a reality."

David Swann, a director at Montague Architects Ltd, said he believed that everyone would be happy with the look of the building. He said, "It's more sensitive to the surrounding area. We hope it will set a precedent for the Derby Cityscape scheme and open the way for other developments." Another positive aspect of the deal is that Eggleston can move to larger, modern premises in Centurion Way, with the added potential to create new jobs.

Eggleston's managing director, Richard Hewitt, said, "We've been looking for about five years to move to new premises, so we were relieved when everything went through this week. We've been in the city centre since the business started in 1809 and the buildings have outstayed their use. Our business is growing and new premises will help us grow further and possibly lead us to taking on more staff."