Fresh plans to turn former Derby riverside pub into offices and flats

Fresh plans have been put forward to breathe new life into a former Derby pub which sits on the banks of the city’s River Derwent.

Last year, proposals were submitted to Derby City Council to convert the former Waterside Inn, by St Mary’s Bridge in Mansfield Road, into 10 apartments.

However, the plans, which would have seen the building extended and remodelled to create seven one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats, were withdrawn following a number of objections and concerns about flooding.

Now, a new application has been submitted to the city council to convert the building into offices and flats.

According to the plans, the ground floor will be turned into offices, while four flats would be created on the floors above. The property would be served by 12 parking spaces and a further 12 spaces for bicycles.

The Waterside Inn sits on the banks of the River Derwent (Derby Telegraph)

In planning documents submitted by Astill Planning Consultants, on behalf of the applicant, it said: “The proposed change of use and conversion of the property will enable it to be brought back into use.

“This will help to enhance its character and appearance and the quality of the local street scene.”

The building itself, which dates from the 18th century, was originally a private residence.

The building was once a private residence (Derby Telegraph)

It became a pub in the 19th century, named the Bridge Inn. Just a few years ago, the pub underwent a comprehensive refurbishment which cost tens of thousands of pounds. The name was changed from the Bridge Inn to the Waterside Inn.

The building is locally listed by the city council and is located in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage buffer zone.

There are several listed heritage assets nearby, including St Mary’s Bridge.

Some locals had been calling for the building to reopen as a pub (google)

Some people in the local area, including ward councillor Martin Repton, had been calling for the building to be reopened as a pub.

However, the latest planning application argues that when the previous owner, Greene King, tried to market the property as a pub there was little interest.

The plans state: “There is no longer a need to retain the public house use because there is an adequate provision of alternative, comparable and operational public houses in the locality.

“Additionally, the application site is located within the Central Business District - the sequentially preferable location for office development in Derby.

“Through bringing the property back into a viable use, the proposal will help preserve and enhance a locally listed building, which will have positive impacts on the setting of the surrounding designated heritage assets.”