RIVERLIGHTS SCHEME

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The controversial Riverlights scheme has moved another step closer to being realised. Developers MetroHolst are poised to submit planning applications to build an office block, commercial units and 150 apartments, which would sit alongside a new bus station. Norwest Holst are the big company behind this – MetroHolst is the company formed to oversee the development. The face of Derby city centre will be completely transformed if the Riverlights scheme gets the go ahead. There would be a cosmopolitan feel to the development with bars, restaurants and clubs dotted around the edge of the River Derwent. The area would be a place of work and play, it would be bustling with activity, yet the apartments would provide a peaceful haven.

State-of-the-art buildings would boast a health and fitness club, a range of restaurants and cafe bars selling foods from across the globe. Derby would be the ultimate leisure destination - and people would travel there because the airport-style bus station would be a high-quality, safe environment. This is the vision from developers MetroHolst, but opponents of the development are still not impressed with the company's latest version. The site plan shows open traffic-free piazzas, riverside terraces and restaurants, cafes and bars, alongside a new bus station, apartments and an office block.

The latest version of the scheme has been presented to Derby City Council at a cross-party working group. Now developers are to submit an application for outline planning permission this week for three buildings - Headquarters, Waterfront and Whitewater. MetroHolst is seeking permission to build 150 mainly two-bedroom apartments in the Waterfront and Whitewater buildings, which will be targeted at people who want to live in the heart of the city. It is not known exactly how much the apartments will cost, the only indication being that they will be aimed at the middle to higher end of the market.

There will also be some penthouse properties incorporating terraces and balconies overlooking the riverside and gardens. On the ground floors of the Waterfront and Whitewater buildings, the plans include commercial units that could be used for further restaurants or community uses, such as an advice centre. In the Waterfront building, it is proposed that there will be five commercial units, making a total of 17,200 square feet available and, in the Whitewater building, there will be two units, creating 7,850 square feet of space. In the Headquarters building, planning permission is sought for a 150,000 square feet office building which could accommodate up to 1,000 staff.

MetroHolst is looking for a firm or smaller companies to lease the space. Derby City Council says there will be a consultation period for people to give their views on the plans. If outline permission is granted, it will mean that the plans have been agreed to in principle but MetroHolst will have to submit a further application giving full details of the proposal. Richard Kemp, co-director of MetroHolst, said, "The apartments will promote city living to populate the city centre. The Headquarters building will offer an enjoyable working environment for staff inside and outside. We have placed importance on quality design principles, setting out to create an environment worthy of any international city and with a strong emphasis on night-time lighting of the area to create an exciting and fascinating place to visit and enjoy."

Maurice Burgess, leader of Derby City Council, said, "We will be holding extensive public consultation on the planning application. We would like the public to come forward with comments. This could be very exciting for the city but it is important for the public to have a say. I think it is an interesting scheme that has potential and I believe people in Derby will also find the plans interesting. The important thing is to remember that people should only make comments on planning issues. That is what we are dealing with." The latest plans are designed to complement a three-storey building to be built next to the Crown Court.

It would contain units for leisure use, such as a health and fitness club, a casino, bars, cafes and restaurants. "There has been a lot of interest for the past two or three years from major leisure operators," said Mr Kemp. "There have been talks with three casino operators. "Riverlights could become the place to go for leisure and entertainment and should attract people from Derby and Nottingham." At the heart of the Riverlights development is the 29-bay bus and coach interchange. It is being hailed as a public transport facility for the 21st century, although Derby's current 1930s bus station will have to be demolished to make way for it.

Developer MetroHolst has so far failed to sign up any potential tenants and several businesses that were linked to Riverlights have now said that they are not interested. These include La Tasca, which is to open a restaurant in Friar Gate, and Luminar Leisure, which runs pub and club chains, including Jumpin' Jaks and Chicago Rock Cafe. Caffe Nero, which was linked to the development two years ago, has since opened premises in the Corn Market and Nando's, the chicken restaurant, has also found other premises in Derby's Market Place.

MetroHolst also confirmed that it has no plans to demolish the bus station in the Morledge before the new year, despite its closure in October. John Bergin, a director of MetroHolst, said, "There are a lot of tenants interested but the legal process for signing them is quite lengthy. The start of work was never intended to be done before Christmas because it would be too disruptive." Restaurant chain TGI Friday's also pulled out of Riverlights negotiations in favour of another location in Derby.

City council leader Chris Williamson said, "I'm as frustrated as anybody at the length of time it's taken to get this scheme off the ground but I'm determined to make sure that any further delays are minimised." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

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