Appeal lodged over 'critical' new homes plan at former Derby library

The owners of an historic building in Derby, which used to be a library, have appealed against a council decision to refuse new homes to be built next to it. 2i Investments applied to Derby City Council to build nine new flats at the rear of the former Pear Tree Library building on Pear Tree Road in Normanton to address a “severe shortage” of new housing.

After being used as a community building for 100 years, the site was transformed in 2021 into a shopping plaza, allowing traders and creative individuals the space to grow start-up business at reasonable rates. Before this development, the building was owned by the city council.

Several years ago, the authority stated it would cost £1.5 million to renovate the building – originally known as the Carnegie Library - before deciding to put it on the market. Derby City Council said the venue had become "surplus to requirements".

Join us on WhatsApp to get the latest news straight to your phone

The building is known to be locally listed. Locally-listable buildings are those that do not quite meet the criteria for being nationally-listed, but which have architectural or historical importance in their local area.

The plans by 2i Investments included building a new three-storey apartment block at the rear of the building. The company said the new development would enhance the Pear Tree Road area and deliver housing supply at a “critical” time.

But council officers refused the development on grounds it would cause planning harm. The local authority concluded it would be “directly abutting” the locally listed building and therefore “disrupt” the heritage asset and its setting.

The council notice said: “In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, the application fails to satisfactorily demonstrate that the site can be developed without causing harm to the setting and significance of this locally listed building (a non-designated heritage asset).

“This is due to its close proximity to the locally listed building, the loss of open space around it, and the impact on key features on the building. The indicative plans and elevations show a three-storey apartment building, directly abutting the locally listed building and wrapping around its southwestern corner.”

Read more - 80s band first to announce a show at new Derby arena

Documents have now been published online showing 2i Investments has appealed the council’s refusal to the Planning Inspectorate. In a Statement of Case report, the firm argues that the design of the flats would intertwine fittingly with the historical building and its setting - not harm it.

It says: “It is the appellant’s position that in the context of the appropriate test and having regard to the local listing description and the proposed development; that the proposal would maintain all aspects and characteristics informing the qualities of the building sought to be protected in the first place.

“It brings forward a provision of development that is located to the rear of the former library building, providing a predominant interrelationship with the flat roofed, single storey, rear projection areas that clearly offer no measurable architectural value to the building.”

At time of writing, it is not clear when a decision on the appeal will be made. The appeal has been confirmed as “valid”.

We send out the biggest stories in an email every day. Sign up for the main Derbyshire Live newsletter here.