'We want to keep the character': Council urged to retain historic buildings

The chair of the Nottingham Civic Society has spoken out about the organisation’s pledge to preserve historical buildings in the city, after plans to demolish the 1940s former fire and police station were blocked earlier this week.

Nottingham Civic Society chair Hilary Silvester has said that she is “relieved” that the building on Shakespeare Street, former home of Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire Service, is to be saved from the wrecking ball.

The building, which has been vacant since 2016, was granted Grade II listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in January, meaning plans to demolish the site and sell the land for student housing could not go ahead.

And this week it was confirmed that a bid by Nottingham City Council to have that decision overturned had failed.

Speaking to the BBC this week, Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen said that he was “disappointed” by the ruling, citing the “significant ongoing costs” required to maintain the building and keep it secure.

It is understood that since closing seven years ago the building has been repeatedly damaged, vandalised, and occupied by squatters.

Speaking to Nottingham World, Silvester said that it was important to preserve buildings which “reflect the history of the city”.

She said: “It’s a good building and it’s interesting architecturally. It’s historically interesting, it’s opposite a listed building that’s the same sort of age, and we think it contributes to the townscape, the cityscape, the streetscape.

“We’re very pleased to see that it’s been listed and despite the appeal we’re relieved to see that it's still there. We think it’s an appropriate building to have in Nottingham. It reflects the history of the city.

“We value it for its history in the city of Nottingham, and because very many citizens of Nottingham have said that they value it.

“It matters to people and to the civic society.”

Silvester said that the society is conscious of the need to find a use for the building, which has been empty for over seven years, but that “we don’t want to replace it with a tower block”.

“We want to keep the city’s character, we don’t want to stifle its development,” she added. “We would like to work with the architect and discuss it with the architect. We hope there’s a good future use to be found for it and we’re sure there can be.

“We’d gladly work with somebody with proposals for the existing building.”

Leader David Mellen said that the council would need to “review options for the whole of the site with partners, including the nearby Guildhall building.

"The nature of older buildings means finding a suitable alternative use is often not straightforward,” he added.