War Rooms redevelopment heads Nottingham agenda
Along with affordable housing around the historic bunker, plans for homes at the former Chronos Richardson site and student living on Castle Boulevard will be considered next week.
Nottingham City Council’s planning committee meets on 19 November, and will consider three projects, all with approval recommended by officers provided conditions are met.
Nottingham War Rooms, Chalfront Drive (NCC reference 24/02219/PFUL3)
Aspbury Planning is working for Hamilton Russell Harper and East Midlands Housing Association on a proposal that would see the grade two-listed 1950s bunker repurposed for children’s charity Base 51, with 104 affordable homes delivered around the structure.
The plan would see office space and breakout ones for the charity created at basement and ground floor level, with a heritage zone set aside to showcase features, such as a BBC recording studio, that were part of the Cold War-era development.
A restaurant would be introduced, along with a health-leisure facility open to the public, and rentable workspace.
Alterations would include an extension on one side to create an accessible entrance lobby for Base 51, and another extension to provide additional café seating. CPMG is the architect.
EMHA’s affordable housing would be split between 60% social rent and 40% shared ownership, all in two-storey homes.
There would be six one-bed maisonettes, 60 two-bedroom dwellings and 38 three-bedroom dwellings. The main vehicular entrance to the site is to be off Robins Wood Road to the west, with a further access from Colney Way to the north.
Dominion House, Castle Boulevard (NCC reference 25/00065/PFUL3 )
Originally featured on the September planning docket, Castle Park View’s application for a PBSA scheme featuring 137 bedspaces over four floors returns to committee following deferral, with questions raised over the proposed rear elevation facing onto the Park Estate.
The applicant’s architect Franklin Ellis has sought to address concerns raised by refining the elevational treatment, largely with the introduction of stonework into the palette of materials, referencing its extensive use throughout the park. Previously proposed recessed brickwork has been replaced with pre-cast stone surrounds to frame windows and doors which face onto the Park Estate, for instance.
In addition, the red line site boundary has been amended to remove a small section of land on the northern boundary which the Park Estate had indicated is within their ownership. This has resulted in a proposed sub-station being re-sited to the south east side of the building.
A historic frontage will be retained at Dominion House. Credit: planning documents
Former Chronos Richardson site, Wyton Close (VCC reference 25/00059/PFUL3)
MyPad and Nottingham Community Housing Association are seeking consent for 113 homes at the long-vacant and cleared industrial site.
Separated from Nottingham City Hospital by a footpath, the site is allocated for housing, and in 2024 saw permission granted for 62 homes on the eastern portion, with committee voting through a resolution to approve a Lidl supermarket on the other part – however, this project was withdrawn.
As it goes before committee, the new scheme would comprise 18 one-bed flats and 95 houses of two to four bedrooms each.
Anotherkind Architects, landscape architect Golby & Luck, and planner WSP lead the professional team for the applicants.
