DESPITE the challenges of the pandemic, progress continues to be made on Chester city centre's long-awaited multi-million-pound Northgate Development.

And while work continues apace on that development, a Chester-based business has channelled its energy into another city's ongoing multi-million-pound regeneration scheme.

Planning and environmental consultancy AXIS is playing a lead role in the design and delivery of Nottingham’s biggest regeneration scheme in decades, The Island Quarter.

The original Boots factory site, which has been derelict for many years, will be transformed into a dynamic new Nottingham neighbourhood by a mixed-use commercial and residential scheme.

Phase 1B will sit alongside Canal Turn, which started on site this year. Picture credit: Jestico+Whiles.

Phase 1B will sit alongside Canal Turn, which started on site this year. Picture credit: Jestico+Whiles.

The first phase of this 40-acre development, known as Canal Turn, will revitalise land adjacent to the Nottingham Canal. The site includes the creation of a new area of canal-side public realm, which will be the setting for a landmark waterfront building and a contemporary bandstand. Canal Turn will be a new focal point of the Nottingham entertainment scene, hosting concerts and events all year round. The three-storey, 2,000sq m building features two restaurants, event space with panoramic views and a large rooftop terrace.

AXIS, which has its Chester base of operations in Bretton, has been heavily involved in the scheme from the beginning, responsible for all town planning, external works design and transportation planning services.

Jon Mason, landscape technical director at AXIS, said: “Placemaking has been central to AXIS’ work on the new public realm areas in Canal Turn.

"This development will be the first step in providing a setting for a wide range of community activities. The focus is very much on the ‘customer experience’. We’re making sure we create an external environment where people feel comfortable, want to spend time, and want to return to.”

The building features a 100m-long forum with food and drink outlets. Picture credit: Jestico+Whiles.

The building features a 100m-long forum with food and drink outlets. Picture credit: Jestico+Whiles.

The Island Quarter, when fully delivered, will be a transformation with new homes, grade A offices, a co-working and creative space, lifestyle hotels, student accommodation and a wide range of food and beverage outlets. The new development will be set within a new, high-quality public realm.

A ‘green ribbon’ of open spaces will provide active travel connectivity through the site and spaces for the new community and its visitors to relax, exercise and have access to plentiful fresh air. The development will create thousands of jobs, bolster the local economy, and enhance existing on- and off-site pedestrian and cyclist connections to help strengthen links with adjoining areas.

Jon added: “Our aim is to create a cultural and entertainment destination that is accessible to and engaging for all types of people; a place that’s well known both for the major events throughout the year and special one-off concerts, but also is an attractive, comfortable place to spend time with friends and family at any time of the day, any day of the week.

"Given the close proximity of the city centre and great public transport links, we are keen to make accessing the site on foot and by bicycle extremely easy.”

The landmark 17-storey building will house a hotel, co-working space, bars and restaurants. Picture credit: Jestico+Whiles.

The landmark 17-storey building will house a hotel, co-working space, bars and restaurants. Picture credit: Jestico+Whiles.

David Jones, director at AXIS, added: “Working on The Island Quarter scheme with Conygar has been a great experience for the AXIS team, and it’s fantastic to see the proposals taking shape onsite at Canal Turn.

"This initial first phase will set the tone of what is to come in the wider development and represents an exciting new dawn for this forgotten part of the city. Its focus on placemaking will ensure it is a sustainable destination, in every sense, for future generations.”

Christopher Ware, director at Conygar, the developer behind the scheme, elaborates on their relationship with the council and AXIS: “We’ve worked very closely with the City Council and the design team to put together a development that will transform this part of the city centre and become a new destination and community for the future of Nottingham.

"Key to its success will be a public realm that has variety, distinctiveness but, most of all, delivers an environment that is responsive to the buildings and activities within it.

"The team at AXIS have brought their planning and place-making expertise to the table, and have made a significant contribution to the scheme’s progress so far. We are all very excited to see the development come to life over the next few years.”

Details of the second part of the first phase of The Island Quarter, Phase 1B, were submitted as a detailed planning application just after the Christmas break.

The development includes buildings that will punctuate the Nottingham skyline, and comprises a 223-bed hotel, more than 240 build-to-rent apartments, co-working space, and an extensive food and beverage area.