Housing and hub plan for 1950s war bunker approved

The site in Beechdale was built during the Cold War in the event of nuclear warfare

A 1950s Cold War bunker in Nottingham will be turned into a community hub and affordable homes.

Nottingham City Council approved plans for a total of 104 affordable homes around the Grade II-listed Nottingham War Rooms in Beechdale.

The bunker itself would house a space for youth charity Base 51 as well as a community health and leisure facility, conferencing facilities, and space for food and drink outlets.

Councillors unanimously approved the plans at a planning committee on Wednesday.

The bunker, known locally as The Kremlin, was one of 16 war rooms designed nationally in the early 1950s in order to provide protected government accommodation during a nuclear attack.

It was designed to accommodate more residents from nuclear fallout rather than the blast itself.

The site was decommissioned and repurposed as a storage facility for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food before it closed its doors in the 1990s.

Councillors praised the application which includes six one-bedroom properties, 60 two-bedroom homes and 38 three-bedroom dwellings.

It was submitted by developer Hamilton Russell Harperwood, along with East Midlands Housing Association.

Kevin Clarke, leader of the Nottingham Independents, said: "It's nice to see some affordable housing coming to the fore.

"For me, it's a delight to see we can put these old buildings back into use and mix them in with a new community."

Labour councillor Philip Chapman added: "I welcome the principle of social housing and we desperately need it."

Artist impressopms show housing around a white development

Speaking after the meeting, Craig Cameron of Langcroft Developments said he was "very happy" with the comments from the committee.

"We had to get Historic England's approval to cut windows and an atrium into the building," he said.

"We felt the building needed to be a community hub and within the area there is a shortfall in community facilities. We wanted a combination of charity and business which is coming together."

The bunker spans three floors and features a former BBC studio designed to deliver news broadcasts at the time.

The old BBC broadcasting studio will be kept and refurbished in line with its original appearance.

The documents state: "The building itself currently languishes in a derelict and unused state, having been obsolete for several decades. In its current form, it offers no discernible benefit to the local area.

"This redevelopment project aims to transform this neglected space into a thriving hub that contributes positively to the community.

"The existing fabric of the building is ageing and suffering from moisture ingress. It requires complete renovation, refurbishment, and reconfiguration to provide it with a new lease of life and to preserve it as a heritage asset for future generations."