Nottingham: Sale of listed complex back on after new deal agreed

The former police and fire station had been earmarked for demolition before receiving Grade II listed status

The sale of Nottingham's Guildhall and former police and fire headquarters looks set to go ahead after a new deal was agreed with the buyer.

The city council has been in a contract with property firm Miller Birch, which had substantial plans for the site.

These included turning the Guildhall into a hotel and demolishing the police and fire station for student flats.

Plans were halted when the government gave the latter Grade II listed status, but revised terms have now been agreed.

The site, which fronts Shakespeare Street, South Sherwood Street, Burton Street and North Church Street, is made up of a series of buildings including the Grade II-listed Guildhall and the former police headquarters and central fire station.

The police headquarters and fire station were given listed status in January last year, on the recommendation of Historic England and the Nottingham Civic Society.

Nottingham City Council and the property company subsequently appealed against the decision, but this was rejected, with plans then shelved in September, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Now council documents, published ahead of a meeting on Tuesday, say the Labour-run authority has agreed fresh terms with the buyer.

The police and fire site had become a target for vandalism

Councillor Steve Battlemuch said the sale would "still generate a substantial capital receipt for the authority".

"This site has been vacant for a long time and this sale, while regenerating the area, relieves the council of the financial and practical burdens of its ongoing maintenance and security," he said.

"The final price will be subject to an independent valuation to determine best value for the council, and the sale remains subject to the prospective purchaser obtaining a detailed planning consent."

The police and fire buildings now cannot be demolished due to their listed status.

Because of the listing, the documents say the site has become "an entirely different commercial proposition in that the development capacity is now much reduced".

It is understood the revised terms include a reduced sale price, with the plans recommended for approval ahead of the meeting.

The documents state that marketing the asset was not considered to be in the best interests of the council, which is looking to make drastic savings after it declared effective bankruptcy in November.