Derby children's services building next to La Gondola likely to be sold off

Derby City Council's children’s services have been forced to relocate after a fire at the old La Gondala restaurant, a new report has said. The authority's cabinet is set to make a decision about the future of Ashtree House on Osmaston Road, which is situated next door to the now torn-down venue.

It's likely to be sold by the city council and could be purchased by a housing developer as part of a new residential scheme in the area. The council hopes it can generate a “substantial” sum from its sale. The building has been primarily used for “family time” purposes. This allows cared-for children to spend time with their family in a supervised environment.

On Sunday, August 25 a major fire broke out at the former La Gondola hotel and restaurant which had stood derelict since 2009. Serious concerns over the building's structure meant it was demolished shortly afterwards.

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A report about the current condition of Ashtree House says children’s services have not been able to “safely occupy” the building since the fire. Staff have been working at locations across the city to run children's services as normal.

A cabinet meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 4 where councillors are recommended to declare Ashtree House surplus to requirements and “sell the building as part of the council’s wider rationalisation of its property assets”.

The report published ahead of the meeting states: “Following a fire at the neighbouring La Gondola site, children’s services have not been able to safely occupy Ashtree House. As a result, children’s services implemented their business continuity plan and staff based at Ashtree House and the services provided from there (primarily court ordered family time) are temporarily being delivered from alternative sites in the council’s portfolio, throughout Derby.”

The council says the future of Ashtree House has been under consideration for some time due to its “poor condition” and other factors. A condition survey carried out before the fire took place concluded at least just over £1 million worth of work was needed to repair the property.

The report adds: “Ashtree House is in an extremely poor state of repair. A condition survey undertaken in March 2024 by property services identified as circa. £1.1m (exc. VAT, fees, contingency etc) of work that is required to remedy current building and services defects. Significant upward pricing pressure on construction works inevitably means current remedial costs will increase over time.”

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