CITY chiefs are expected to wave through plans which could see 500 student flats, a hotel and shop take over the closed-down Derrys department store in Plymouth city centre.
The future of Plymouth's Derrys department store looks set to be decided today as the plans come before the city's planning committee.
The Herald revealed last November how the Thames Bank Property Company exchanged contracts for the 224,536sq ft block, subject to receiving planning permission.
Now the London-based property firm's plans, which include more than 3,000sq m of commercial space and demolition of part of the old building, will be discussed by Plymouth's planning committee.
There have been 14 letters of objection received by the council regarding this application, which has been recommended for approval.
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Objectors say student rooms won't regenerate the west end of the city and will be empty part of the year.
There are also concerns about a lack of parking for a new hotel.
One letter said: "This significant and historical building deserves a more ambitious reuse."
Objectors have called for the site top have community, public or civic uses or to be a mix of market affordable and retirement flats.
Concerns have been raised about the loss of independent traders in the city centre, saying this development is 'unlikely to encourage businesses'.
One letter said the development would impact badly on tourism, another said it would increase anti-social behaviour in the area and another said the site could have been the city's new library.
Campaign group the Twentieth Century Society has concerns regarding the roof extension and changes to the Riley Building.
The application includes transforming the block into 500 student bedrooms and a 100-bed budget hotel.
There will also be ground-floor shopping and restaurant space.
Derrys was one of the early casualties of the retail wipe-out of the past decade, closing in 2010 when Vergo Retail Ltd went into administration.
Thames Bank Property said five existing tenants, including the Argos and Ryman outlets, would be welcome to stay in the redeveloped building.
Thames Bank Property also plans to add an extra floor, adding new parts to the building.
Agents acting on behalf of Thames Bank said in their covering letter accompanying the planning application: "The site presents a significant opportunity for redevelopment to ensure its long-term sustainable use and to enhance its contribution to the built, natural and historic environment, in line with the site's importance within the west end of the city centre."
"Exhaustive marketing activities undertaken over the past five years have failed to generate any interest from retailers and the building without active use the buildings have started to fall into disrepair, affecting the vitality and viability of the adjacent high street.
"The quality and quantity of the new flexible retail floorspace at ground and basement levels, coupled with the hotel and student accommodation, would significantly mprove prospects of the long-term sustainability of the site and the attractiveness of the west end of town, whilst also meeting the need for purpose built student housing and new visitor accommodation."
In November Thames Bank boss Colin Morris told The Herald the details of the deal to buy the building was confidential but involved "a lot of cash".
When Aberdeen Property Investors bought it in 2010 it was for more than £20million. "We'll build the student beds to top specification," adding "Construction will be internal, but we will tidy up the roof, and we are putting another floor on there.
"Courtenay Street is a bit messy, we'll tidy that up and put some new build in there." Mr Morris said the entire project, including purchase and redevelopment, would top £50million.
He said the aim is "to transform that part of the city", an area blighted by closed-down shops and stemming from the days of recession.
"I think there will be more life in the place with 600 people in there," he said.
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