The developer behind a long-awaited £150 million housing scheme in Derby city centre has vowed that Brexit will not derail the project.
Wavensmere Homes is preparing to break ground on the Nightingale Quarter scheme, which will deliver hundreds of new homes on the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
The firm intends to build around 800 new homes on the 18-acre site, which is bordered by London Road and Osmaston Road.
Over the last few months, Wavensmere has been preparing the site ready for building work to start next month.
But while some decisions at other businesses are being held up by the current Brexit uncertainty, Wavensmere has said that it intends to keep to this schedule, no matter what happens in Parliament.
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “While it’s a very uncertain time for many businesses in the UK, we are incredibly confident that our development won’t be affected and it will be very much a case of ‘business as usual’ as we forge ahead with the home builds as planned.
“We have got a majority UK supply chain and have all the checks in place to ensure that we won’t stumble as this city centre site finally gets the focus it needs.
“Not only will we be creating hundreds of jobs, but hundreds of homes for the workers of businesses within Derbyshire, which include leaders in aerospace, rail, freight hub and distribution.
“In fact, Derby has been the hub for high quality manufacturing for 300 years and this only looks set to flourish and grow, despite the UK preparing to leave the EU.”
The Nightingale Quarter development, which will also include apartments, is set to be built over the next five years, after planning permission was granted by Derby City Council earlier this year.
As well as building hundreds of new homes, the site’s iconic Pepperpot structures will be preserved and transformed into a community hub cafe, exhibition space, gym and meeting rooms.
The site will also include cycle routes, an open air gym and fitness area, children’s play areas and planting throughout the site.
Enquiries for the first wave of the luxury 125 two and three-bedroom homes opened earlier this year, and already hundreds of people have expressed an interest in them.
Sales director Donna Smith said: “We have been inundated with enquiries for the homes and we know as we get closer to the time we break ground and start the build, this will rocket.
“Brexit will still mean business as usual for all of us, and it looks like most home buyers are feeling this too.”
