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3-D MODEL TO PROTECT DERBY SKYLINE
Work is underway to formulate a strategy that will help to ensure new development enhances Derby city centre’s skyline.
Derby Cityscape and Derby City Council have appointed planning consultants EDAW, to formulate a ‘Tall Buildings Strategy’ which will include a 3D computer model of the whole city centre.
The consultants are currently undertaking an assessment of Derby’s townscape to understand the unique character of the skyline and to identify if there are any locations that could be enhanced by taller buildings. The strategy will also identify where taller buildings are not considered to be appropriate.
Part of this process has included a series of workshops that have brought together architecture, development, planning and conservation professionals together with local organisations to discuss the issues.
The draft strategy will then be incorporated into a Supplementary Planning Document which will be subject to public consultation at the end of this year.
A key part of the strategy will be the production of design guidance for taller buildings in Derby. This will consider issues related to scale, location and design. Developers will be asked to refer to this guidance and they will be able to plug their proposals into the 3D model of the city centre. The model will enable developers, the council’s planners, and the public, to carefully assess the impact of what’s being proposed.
Derby Cityscape Urban Design Manager Nick Corbett explained: “The role of tall buildings is on the national agenda at the moment and Derby needs to be a part of this debate, but we need a bespoke solution here because Derby’s an historic city with a special skyline.
“A hundred years ago Derby’s skyline was dotted with very tall industrial chimneys, but most of these have now been demolished and the current skyline is generally low level. It’s expected that the Cathedral should stand out as the most prominent tall building viewed from access routes to the city centre. The 3D model will be a vital tool to help protect and enhance important views.
Councillor Chris Williamson, Leader of Derby City Council, adds: “We’re all aware of the massive and welcome changes taking place that are shaping Derby.
“It’s such an exciting time to be in Derby as the city undergoes its biggest ever regeneration. We need to ensure that this transformation continues to fit in with our vision of a Derby in which our citizens can be justly proud.
“The tall buildings strategy will work alongside the recently-adopted public realm strategy to ensure new developments enhance the city centre.”
Derby Cityscape Chief Executive John Cadwallader continued: “The only constant for a city is change and, as we move forward with the long-awaited regeneration of the city centre, we need to ensure that tall buildings, built in the right location and to the right design, have the elegance to enhance this skyline and add to the unique nature of our city.”
Andrew Brentnall, Associate Director of Savills commercial property agents who attended a workshop on the tall buildings strategy, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Derby as a growing city to create landmark, high quality schemes that will both complement the historic interests and fabric of the city centre as well as create an identity for the future.
“The adoption of this policy will send out a clear message that Derby wants high quality rather than mass development. It is therefore important that the tall building strategy is formulated as a usable and useful tool for developers to guide them in their initial discussions with architects and planners.”