Antonia Shield, Board Member at the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC) said: “It is extremely exciting that this scheme is now being started at such an economically-challenging time for the country. This is clear evidence of the strength of confidence that outside and private investors have in the city of Gloucester.”
Permission was granted last year to build a contemporary new warehouse-style building on the site, consisting of 48 flats over 4 1/2 floors with approximately 5,500 square feet of leisure/retail units on the ground floor.
After original plans submitted by the developer were rejected eighteen months’ ago by both the GHURC and Gloucester City Council as having little architectural heritage value in a conservation area. The GHURC’s Design Review Panel, chaired by Antonia, worked closely with Crest Nicholson and its architects, Stride Treglown, to ensure the design would enhance the local environment.
The final design represents, in the Panel’s opinion, ‘a contemporary building which sits comfortably within the unique setting of Gloucester Docks.’
Antonia added: “Crest Nicholson must be congratulated for embracing the process which enabled us to discuss and ultimately assist with the design of a building which will have a long lasting impact on its surrounding area.”
Laura Osborne, sales manager for Crest Nicholson (South West) commented: “We are very pleased to be able to move forward with the demolition of the building and the start of works to provide quality homes, and leisure and retail facilities.
“We hope to launch the Crest Nicholson Merchants Quay development later this year and look forward to providing this finishing touch to the Gloucester Docks area.”
The South West Regional Development Agency own a significant part of the Gloucester docks. Chris Foley, head of regeneration at the RDA said: “The South West RDA has invested more than £11 million in the regeneration of Gloucester City Centre, because we believe this historic city has real economic potential. Demolishing the Merchants Quay building will make way for an exciting, contemporary building that mixes homes with retail and business space. It will be a fitting addition to the already flourishing dockside area.”
The new building will be built using quality, sustainable materials without detracting from the special environment created by neighbouring Docks buildings.
The existing two-storey retail building, next to Phillpotts Warehouse, was built in the late 1980s but the units were vacated more than 18 months ago