Excellent news about the star wars millennium falcon bridge getting removed, if you notice within 20 yards behind it it goes seriously downhill with the cheapo clothing shops and wilko's....it’s a great opportunity for some better shops / offices along from USC downwards providing another route to Hockley Lace Market / Arena. The bridge is such a “subconscious brick wall”

Being from Manchester, I’ve seen what they did with the horrible sprawling Arndale Centre we had, in terms of improving structurally replacling huge 1960s pillars with smaller ones and losing the trend for low ceilings with no natural light, that did take about 10 years and it’s still going on but the Victoria is a lot less of a sprawling mass, it’s a simple straight line of shops…come on Capital Shopping, get your act together.

Right... I have some plans for the bridge. Benoy are the architects... same company who have been doing our waterside plans, they also did bullring as well as a number of other large projects.

The good news is :D:D:D:D.... The Victoria side of the bridge will get a small reclad. Now it will only cover this side of the centre but thats a great start.

The other side of the bridge will just get patched up. This is just as good news as I was scared any major reclads would mean they have long term plans to keep the site as it is. I was told there are two applications, one for the Viccy side, and one for the other side.... Heres the info....

This is what the Vic Centre side will look like after the reclad :D...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1288/1284900360_efc602ce76_o.jpg

These are the elevations which show what is retained and what is not...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/1284047199_85f68fdadd_o.jpg

Heres the same for the other side of the Bridge...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/1284902076_5093b3f939_o.jpg

Good news. Looks like we were right then about the guys at Viccie centre having plans to reclad some of the shopping centre.
The plans look alright, but it's a shame they have to keep the drab looking windows. Still good news though.

Yes, something is better than nothing. surely they'll have to do the john lewis side of things too otherwise it might look a serious mish mash of concrete panels! Hopefully it blends in with the trinity square's beige so the whole district looks quite new.

As you guys say, it's a start.

Yeah defaintely...and I keep saying.... John Lewis have this new designers store policy...all of their new units are being built in iconic stores...that is their aim... surely they'll have something to say about the Ugly look of Vic Centre.

Yea I would be interested to see what they have to say about the John Lewis store here in Nottingham. At the moment, House of Frasier wins hands down in the good looking department store out of the two of them. I do wonder if they might move to Broadmarsh...they are very out of the way down that end of victoria centre, and its always quite quiet whenever I go in there.

Its a shame the relad isnt more extensive, but then at least as we say, it shows they recognise the need for change. Hopefully it'll at least pave the way for more improvement in the future.

I think that would be bad... I think John Lewis is one of the better of all the deparment stores we have here in Nottingham and I would like to see them with a better looking store but.....

Broadmarsh is going to have a big pull south, I don't think Trinity Square alone is enough to pull people back up North however, trinity square combined with the big anchors in Victoria, the large Next, John Lewis, House of Fraser, WH Smith balances the retail pull. John Lewis is THE biggest anchor in Victoria...if this moves to Broadmarsh I think our whole retail structure could get messy for everything North of the market square.

Re the reclad... As we keep saying its a start, The Council have laid out land for development for Victoria if they want to expand, i'm sure Victoria centre will get to this stage at some point.

Do you know where the land is that the council have designated for Victoria Centre? I would imagine it would be alongside at the back of Victoria Market. A bridge would probably connect the two buildings together.

What you want to do guys is check out "Track progress of current applications" on the Planning website. It is updated daily and shows ALL applications not yet determined by the Council. They show up here before they are made valid. It is only after they are made valid that the plans etc will be uploaded onto the main system (this may take up to a week). So its the place to look for breaking news!

Cheers furry.

And Bantam Im suprised you like the idea of the footbridge. Its such a visual stop on Parliament Street which could be a really impressive thoroughfare if it could be opened up. I know Marco Island has the same effect but at least when your looking the other way from Oceana you'll be able to see all the great architecture and hustle and bustle at the western end around Theatre Square and towards the Axis.

I've mentioned on here before that I'd like to see that footbridge replaced with something modern and eyecatching, akin to the Arndale one in Manchester. I just think it could be a really interesting feature and also lend more of a city feel to parliament street. I see what you're saying about blocking views, but to be honest I don't think you'd be able to see much of the area around Theatre Square from Oceana without the bridge? You could say the Arndale one blocks views of Exchange Square, but I really didn't notice that when I was in Manc. I just thought it looked really good with the buildings of the square rising behind it.

Here some pictures of Victoria and the effect it has on its surrounding areas... just the block thats connected by the bridge....

I was just thinking...they must have plans to knock the whole block down eventually... think about it...what are they going to do with all this part here with the steps and the gaps inside on the floor above what you would usually access the bridge??

There not exactly going to turn it into a shops are they?

One more thing...im sure this area is a pigeon breeding ground...there so much pigeon shit around there.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1161/1288019346_8e94be1de9_b.jpg

Rest of the pics....

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/1287165397_9db3ac5abc_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1168/1287166127_523cf74e22_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1248/1287161895_3c886066bb_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/1288017648_5bcae71fea_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1248/1287161895_3c886066bb_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1181/1287163657_b3aae34226_b.jpg

I've never really took much notice of the back of sports world round there before but it's fuckin awful.
The area near the steps is really bad for pigeons. Actually, the whole of town is, and it's also a breeding ground for tramps that piss underneath the entrance. :puke:

Guy's just thought I'd let you no that the Cricket Ground is currently fenced off at the Bridgford Road end near the corner of Fox Road over from the war memorial. Hopefully this means that work is due to commence.
Btw the traffic mad around there because of it so don't try and get a pic at rush hour or anything. The fencing sort of juts out into the road making it abit of a tight squeeze.

The Italian Resturant due to open on Central Avenue is coming along nicely aswell with a massive square gap about 5 metres accross that looks like it'll be a massive window
It's also cladded in dark cladding (looks abit like zinc). I'll try and get a picture once I've sorted my camera out.

I can't believe how dreadful this news is. If they are recladding the block between clinton street east and clinton street west (the block behind sportsworld) then it's here to stay a while longer. It would obviously not be in the fanancial sense for capital retail, but creating a square there would be an amazing location. The worst aspect of the building is the view down Thurlstane street from outside the Hogs Head (non-FCUK side). A square would be beautiful there, and when sports world relocates to trinity square it'll be sorted out by the new tenants perhaps, then knock down the wilko building and sort it all out and eureka! the perfect recipe for upmarket fashion retail or a cultural building. It's a waste of a prime location to maintain that building, because that is a point between clumber street and hockley, a link between them could be forged where at the moment nothing but deadness exists.

I think it's a waste. I do think the axing of the bridge is really positive though, althout not liking the renders in black and white - I thought you were taking the piss danz and had put up an old 60s image, until I noticed the new NCT bus! It sounds ok in colour though. Wonder if John Lewis will get slightly bigger when there'll be no need for the pedestrian way to the bridge anymore.

Oats... I'm a little baffled at you point. Their not doing any major reclad to the block opposite centre. All the reclads are on the centre itself. In the block across from vic centre they're only patching up the whole that will be left by the removal of the bridge.... I'm taking that the opposite way to you. If their only patching up the bridge...surely their intentions must be to get rid of the whole building at some point??

Look at what I was saying in the images on the other page to see why I think this....

Finally...why do you think Sportsworld Is relocating to trinity square???

^someone mentions they were earlier in the thread. ages ago

I remember hearing that ages ago too...nothing serious though?

I've spoken to two of the Letting agents for Trinity Square... neither of them said anything about Sportsworld? Only ones signed up are Borders and TK Maxx according to them... infact the second lady said loads more have actually been signed up but she said she couldn't talk about them yet.

legolamb... I think you should edit your first post on this page and change it totally to include all your new innovative and bigger developments... you guys constantly claim that Hull has as much projects going off as other major cities however from looking at this thread from time to time... i can't see that...

Take a look at Nottingham for example... http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=505694 it dosn't seem like you have as much, as large, or as innovative projects going off in Hull from what i've browsing through this thread.


A Reply for Danz013 From the Hull Forum = See Here - Hull - The Movie (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wPlT1I7X_lo) :banana: :banana: :banana:

Wonder if John Lewis will get slightly bigger when there'll be no need for the pedestrian way to the bridge anymore.

I had heard that John Lewis is going to extend itself, it'd make perfect sense to extend over the pedestrian walkway. Boots no longer use the exit on the walkway and I'm sure there is a space not used directly above Currys. Currys, for those old enough to remember, used to be a bar with an entrance to it upstairs. Plus, on a side note, there used to be fantastic sweet shop on that walkway too! :)

(oh, and hi - i'm new :banana: )

Welcome Pete...where you from?

You know... thats a big point you've just made. I never thought of that. Heres the article from the post....

Charlie Mayfield makes a youthful chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.

He is 39 and spent ten hours last Friday touring its Nottingham store in the Victoria Centre, talking to the 800-odd staff.

Mr Mayfield, a former Army officer, took on one of the top jobs in British retailing and he has a difficult act in following Sir Stuart Hampson.

Last year, the department store and grocery group had a stompingly good year, with sales of £2.7bn and near record bonuses paid out to staff.

Business Post caught up with him at the end of his day.

And our first question was: where was the Waitrose Nottingham has been almost promised?

He said he would "love" to have a Waitrose in Nottingham.

"We will be pursuing every opportunity with complete determination," he said.

The constraint was lack of a site, he said, adding: "It is a frustration for us."

Mr Mayfield said the group had demonstrated with its acquisition of shops from Morrisons, Safeway and Somerfield that it could open new shops quickly and successfully.

So what was his verdict after touring Nottingham?

"It is great to see a branch that is so established and that is continuing to grow strongly," said Mr Mayfield.

He said he had been talking to staff - they are all partners because the group is essentially a co-operative - about what they are doing to help the group become more enterprising, trialling stock and looking for ways to improve the business.

"I have come across loads of partners doing exactly that. It is not just good for business but it is really good for those partners.

"John Lewis and Waitrose have been performing very well - it was a cracking year last year on both sides of the business and we have some really exciting growth plans. We are looking to double the size of the business over the next ten years.

"It is very unusual for two retail brands the size of John Lewis and Waitrose to have the kind of growth opportunities available to us."

Doubling the size of the business over ten years sounds highly ambitious but Mr Mayfield is not about to flinch.

He said: "It will be a combination of new shops, sales from existing shops and growing internet sales.

"We have the best pipeline of new shops on the John Lewis side of the business that we have ever had, with ten new shops.

"Inevitably some will be carnivorous but we have discovered we can trade very successful with a number of shops in one location.

"We are confident we can grow. Retail businesses live or die on their like-for-like sales growth.

"We grow by keeping our existing shops modern, contemporary and attractive - that is part of any successful retail business.

"We have a lot going on now to achieve just that."

The Nottingham store is to get new kitchenware, lighting and menswear departments this year.

And Mr Mayfield promised better displays, better products and more demonstrations, adding: "Here in Nottingham, we probably have the best presentation and hopefully the best service of any electrical retailer in the East Midlands."

Mr Mayfield said its online sales were equivalent to two large stores.

He attributed success in its department stores to a host of new brands.

"The biggest change is to give more prominence to brands making them really sing out," said Mr Mayfield.

"We are going to put our best foot forward to get that."

Mr Mayfield said last year John Lewis beat the trend - "and we are still beating the trend although it is tougher. We are trading well in a more difficult market."

Mr Mayfield said interest rates were beginning to bite.

"There are real lags in how long it takes for the effects to show through," he said. "The Bank of England has managed rates pretty well by having steady and predictable increases and decreases.

"I would advise caution to make sure we have really understood the effects of the previous rises before we start piling on more pressure."

After reading it through again I realise I got the story a little twisted. I thought they were expanding the store 50% lol, buts its actually the whole business though. Good news about Waitrose they eh?

By the way, the article was from 19th June this year.

Hi danz, i'm from Nottingham. Sherwood to be exact!

I found this place after you posted a link to the site on the Nottingham Flickr group.

I walk past the Trinity Square development every day on my way to work, so was interested to read about developments on the site & tenants, which you're all talking about here. :)

I'm excited at all the new buildings springing up over Nottingham, though the station & trinity square look by far the most interesting!

Really, I didn't think that post I did on flickr went anywhere..glad to know it did. The idea behind it was to get one or two more members from there so i'm glad it worked :D

As your from flickr i'm sure you have lots of lovely pictures you can post in the Urban Photo sections (when you get the chance). Not sure if you've seen it but i've made an index on the first page where you can get to all the other threads from...

Guys... what do you think of the index? Anyone use it? I do regularly when I'm posting pics but its in a bit of an inconvenient place having to scroll through so many pics to get to it. I think I might redo the front page and add a link to each projects... and make the pictures smaller.

The format of the index is good and fairly easy to use but the size of the pics is abit of an issue. Having to scroll accross the page to read things is a little annoying. Apart from that though I can't really fault it, as it shows all of our main projects in a professional way. :okay:

i've sorted out the size of the images...took me ages!!!

The new layout does look alot better. I think before it was the main title that made the page so wide. It loads alot quicker now aswell. Before I used to get inpatient and scroll down to the bottom and it keet skipping back up as each image loaded.

Finally...why do you think Sportsworld Is relocating to trinity square???

I think you posted that S/World or something were taking space and I speculated that it might be Sports World. I think that's where that came from.

ohh lol yeah I remember. I think a planning app I say a planning app with S/world on it or something like that. they also had one for game and virigin. I asked the guys I spoke to about virgin and game but not about sportsworld.

I'd rather not see Sports World take a unit in Trinity Square as it's a pretty crap shop.
If they left I don't think anyone would be able to take up as much space in the current building more than Sports World already does.

What was there before the shop that was there before sportsworld

Lliywhites ( I think that's how you spell it). Similar sort of shop but specialised in better quality sports gear. It was obviously more expensive.

The Victoria Centre bit (with the bed shop) behind Sports Soccer does need to go, it would be a great idea to just have a little open space there too and move the shanty town style market vendors somewhere else. it is amazing how 10 metres accross you have clumber street with 1000s of people at one time and behind sports soccer there is no one!

I agree re the open space thing though I doubt they will have the same opinion as it has no cost benefits for them.

Even it if was viable I dont think it would work as an open space. The quality of the surrounding buildings is pretty poor you woudnt want to sit and pass the time of day there. Whats really needed in that area is a really high quality building....... that end of Parliament Street has to be one of the worst in town for architecture

Yeah your right, especially with it being so close to Parliament Street.

I think a public square could work if the whole building behind Sports World was demolished. It's just like a warehouse anyway. Move the market stores elsewhere and it could be quite good.

I drove past the Art Exchange last night and it's coming along nicely. I also noticed how many of the flats had been taken up at Bradiwood Court.
Does anyone know what the development further down Gregory Boulevard is? It's just down from the cross road and looks quite large. It's quite far into being built.

Its the Mary Potter Centre, i'm not to sure about it...its not an amazing development (architecturally), but will be great for the community, new doctors, health centre, clinics etc.

Ahh rite cheers Dan. I didn't have a clue about it until yesterday and thought I was onto another new project for Notts lol.

here you go stef...

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/hyson-liftproject.jpg

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/residents/residents-arb/residents-arb-hysongreenjointservicecentre.htm

Anyway..going back to what i was saying the other day about all the opportunities in the lace market... take a look at these....

Doing Nothing...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/1252509359_704e525a83_b.jpg

Doing nothing...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/1252506841_92d0aa213a_b.jpg

Doing nothing...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1248/1287161895_3c886066bb_b.jpg

Doing Nothing...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/1288013368_2ec44f949b_b.jpg

Doing Nothing... (notice the sold sign?)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1200/1288014118_1a8e3fcd8d_b.jpg

Doing nothing... (but under offer)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/1288012268_0ffbe4dd0b_b.jpg

Doing nothing... I mean look at this... its asif its just being used for storage...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1336/1287155853_ebe2815574_b.jpg

They really need to sort out this corner. I don't like it at all....

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1287155061_0cd296d17e_b.jpg

I think I read in the Post some time ago that an application had been put in to transfer the licence for that amusment arcade to somewhere else, in order to make better use of the building. Mind you, I think it's owned by the Rock City / Akins lot, so I guess they don't want to put it on the market until the Pod is up and let.

EDIT: MOVED TO THE UNI POST

how do you delete a message?

i aint sure how to post pic but here is a the link to the demolition and student development on talbot street i think it might of been posted before but here is the link anyway...http://plan4.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Application%20Form-581584.pdf?extension=.pdf&wmTransparency=0&id=581584&wmLocation=0&location=VOLUME6&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=10

it looks ok it is three different sites which i didnt realise.... solar panes on the roof, a spire -i think i remember people chatting about a spire- and shit like that....anyways

there is some stuff on castle college to which i cant post.....
http://plan4.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Page-41?extension=.pdf&page=41&wmTransparency=0&id=561715&wmLocation=0&location=VOLUME6&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=83
http://plan4.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Page-63?extension=.pdf&page=63&wmTransparency=0&id=561715&wmLocation=0&location=VOLUME6&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=83
http://plan4.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Page-55?extension=.pdf&page=55&wmTransparency=0&id=561715&wmLocation=0&location=VOLUME6&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=83
http://plan4.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Page-60?extension=.pdf&page=60&wmTransparency=0&id=561715&wmLocation=0&location=VOLUME6&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=83
http://plan4.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Page-47?extension=.pdf&page=47&wmTransparency=0&id=561715&wmLocation=0&location=VOLUME6&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=83

I was in Leeds today with work, i used to work there 3 years ago. The amount of work that the city in that time has is awesome, new shopping centres, new skyscrapers.... quite frankly i'm afraid to say we in Nottingham are seriously clasping at straws / scraping the barrel with the developments we are frantically eager to see happen.

Nottingham seriously needs a commercial business district, i just hope they stop pissing about and just get some of this eastside stuff, clean up some older stuff and get moving!!! Build some taller shit!!

Yeh I agree. I was in town today and it looked really nice in the sun.
The water fountain in the Market Square is back on again aswell :)
Clumber Street has been almost entirely ripped up in preperation for the new paving.

I was in Leeds today with work, i used to work there 3 years ago. The amount of work that the city in that time has is awesome, new shopping centres, new skyscrapers.... quite frankly i'm afraid to say we in Nottingham are seriously clasping at straws / scraping the barrel with the developments we are frantically eager to see happen.

Nottingham seriously needs a commercial business district, i just hope they stop pissing about and just get some of this eastside stuff, clean up some older stuff and get moving!!! Build some taller shit!!

I've responded here...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15177499&postcount=64

I agree with the comments about Leeds. Whenever I've come home for a few weeks from Uni and go back it always looks different. You see new developments springing up left right and centre.
Leeds feels like a much bigger city when you approach it with the taller buildings and large business district.
Nottingham just needs to develop the same sort of thing to give the same impression to people coming to the city.

The Fopp store has re-opened in town btw.
You can kind of tell HMV have taken over as there isn't a massive choice of non-mainstream music like there used to be.
They still have the £5 section for CD's and DVD's though :)

Right lads I've got some pictures to show you.
The stand due to be redeveloped at the cricket ground has almost been completely demolished. It was standing when I mentioned that they had just put the fences up so the whole thing has only taken a few days to demolish.
I didn't have my proper camera but I did have my phone with me.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/stefan_long18/P9050004.jpg

Normally you'd just see a big white concrete wall but you can see through to the ground now
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/stefan_long18/P9050005.jpg

Just accross the road some prep work looks like it's starting on the Bridgford Road site. Not the best picture but gives you an idea.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/stefan_long18/P9050006.jpg

This is the resturant on Central Avenue currently under construction. Again pretty shit pictures. I didn't want to get out the car as there were loads of people having a drink behind me and I didn't want them to think I was abit weird lol

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/stefan_long18/P9050007.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/stefan_long18/P9050008.jpg

Re Cricket Ground: Its amazing how quick they knock things down!

Speaking of knocking things down... has anyone noticed a building at the bus station is being demolished??

well... council says...

The demolition of the frontage building (other than its ground floor facade) is to allow for additional bus parking, including new Ethanol buses, and to remove problems of congestion/bus queuing on Lower Parliament Street.

I'm glad that nothing is been built in its place. This shows NCT have no intention to slash out on the site... making it more and more likely the whole site will go towards some form of redevelopment in the future (Eastside City)

Notts CC have released a new document with a bit more information about the ground redevelopment.

http://www.nottsccc.co.uk/trentbridgedevpdf2.pdf

Thanks for those. The new stand should hoefully look really good when it finished. It's in keeping with the rest of the ground aswell with the brick facade.

what will the ground look like once its redeveloped, what will the capacity be?

Just over 17,000 I think... I'm sure BeestonLand or Ben77 can confirm this...

17,500 up from 15,000 :)

heres the bus station...


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1241/1339318596_840a690e04_b.jpg

I saw that the other night. It's been going on for a few weeks and has taken a while to demolish. About 3 weeks or so, compared to the cricket ground stand which took a matter of days.

Thought this was interesting on Marco -

COLIN'S 'DREAM' IS NEARLY SHIPSHAPE

08:00 - 04 September 2007

Ten years ago, Marco Island was no more than one man's dream.

It was an empty building, the former sorting office for the Royal Mail.

Today, even before the conversion is completed, Marco Island has become a Nottingham landmark. Twelve-storeys high and approaching 400,000 sq ft, development agent Colin Watkin says it looks like a ship.

The scheme is Nottingham's largest mixed development valued at £60m, says Mr Watkin, who had the idea for the scheme. He said 300 of the 340 apartments on floors two to nine were bought by investors off plan and about 290 are let.

Most are one-bedroom apartments with what Mr Watkin calls versatile space.

Now Mr Watkin, of Flambards, Marco Island's developers, has turned his attention to creating a boutique hotel on the tenth floor and a conference centre, banqueting and event centre for 2,000 delegates. The hotel will be run by Flambards.

He said the conference and banqueting facilities will allow Nottingham to host major events. When completed early in 2008, it will be able to accommodate up to 2,000 conference delegates and 1,800 banqueting diners.

The multi-functional facility will also be used for small exhibitions, training courses and events. With drive-in access from the road, Mr Watkin is confident that the centre will prove popular with exhibition and event organisers.

He believes there is a market for a major city centre venue because none of the large hotels have the capacity to deal with more than 600 delegates or diners.

The 40-bedroom boutique hotel, restaurants and bars, spa and fitness facilities are being incorporated into the complex plus a further 60 serviced apartments.

Mr Watkin said he is planning a number of VIP penthouses on the 11th and 12th floors which can also be serviced by the hotel. He added: "We have been in discussions with event organisers for many months now to make sure we get the layout and facilities right.

"Nottingham desperately needs a facility capable of accommodating these sorts of numbers. When we have Marco Island up and running it will create many opportunities for the city which hitherto have gone elsewhere."

Lynne Marshall, who sold her Nottingham company, hotel booking specialists International Reservations, has been retained as a consultants.

"I am involved in marketing, advising on room sizes, the number of delegates, website design and brochures," she said.

Mr Watkin bought the site for £600,000 and the scheme is part bankrolled by HSBC.

Ah so the redeveloped trent bridge will have 5 extra rows of seating in front of the Fox road stand, exactly what i was saying a while back! Cant wait to see it finished next year!

Yeah i think the Fox road stand is going to look much better with the extra rows as it looks a bit out of place at the moment. Plus an extra row at the front of the Hound, Pav & William Clarke stand hopefully it will tidy the ground up as i think it can look a bit disjointed at the moment.

Furry... I posted that in the Nottinghams Worst Buildings thread lol

whens the cricket ground due to finish guys?

I've been looking through some of the latest applications using that method that furry showed us last week and some interesting things have popped up...

07/01729/PFUL3
5 Trinity Square Nottingham NG1 4AF
Installation of new shopfront.
Date Application Received: 3/9/2007

Ladies and Gents... ^^ This shopfront is not for borders, they have already put through their application... Its Not for TK Maxx either because they have too. But then again...it might not be part of the new development

07/01735/PFUL3
Boots Building D82 Extension 1 Thane Road Nottingham NG2 3AA
Erection of single storey extension.
Date Application Received: 3/9/2007

07/01725/PFUL3
12 Angel Row Nottingham NG1 6HL
Installation of new shopfront.

McDonalds on Hucknall lane has put in an application to open till 2am for those who are interested.

07/01684/PFUL3
39 - 41 Clumber Street Nottingham NG1 3ED
Installation of new shopfront.

Drove past the cricket ground today and it's pretty much all gone. The only thing that is left looks like the commentator's box. It's just stood on 4 colums and is pretty much on it's last legs (literally)
Dan you should definately take a look as you'll be able to get some great views withyour camera into the ground.

I'll go down there 2moz...

i'm changing the front page inline with the London format...much more informative... going back to the big pictures though...

Its a long process... I can't be arsed to do it all at once. So if you see duplicates and things like that on the front page its just because i haven't got round to dealing with everything yet.

Not sure when Trent Bridge is due to finish but would imagine should be done by early summer next year in time for the international matches

heres the bus station...

anyone know whats going to put in its place?

anyone know whats going to put in its place?

Read this...

has anyone noticed a building at the bus station is being demolished??

well... council says...

The demolition of the frontage building (other than its ground floor facade) is to allow for additional bus parking, including new Ethanol buses, and to remove problems of congestion/bus queuing on Lower Parliament Street.

I'm glad that nothing is been built in its place. This shows NCT have no intention to slash out on the site... making it more and more likely the whole site will go towards some form of redevelopment in the future (Eastside City)

Some good news :D....

City Council have just released their report before the commitee meeting next where a number of big projects are going to the table...

ISIS Waterside and Castle are both expected to be granted approval finally.. I'll post the reports in their relevant threads inabit.

Also on the table:

- Corner House expected to be granted permission to split up the works unit into three parts.
- An erection of a 2 story building at the ropewalk (I know nothing about this) is expected to be granted permission

I'm a little surprised eastside city is not on the list.

Yes, odd on no eastside.

Great on the others though.

Good find

I wonder whats going off in the square today then...

OMS Webcam... looks like they're setting something up

http://www.itsnottingham.info/NOTTM_CAMERA_OMS.jpg

Could be something to do with GameCity?????

Not good news for local telly news service -

Itv was expected to announce the end of a dedicated news service for the East Midlands today as part of a major shake-up of regional broadcasting.

The television company is looking to merge its Central TV programmes in the East and West Midlands, which could leave just a handful of staff in Nottingham.

The proposed merger is believed to be part of a programme of cuts which would see the number of ITV regions slashed from 17 to just nine.

Central News, which is broadcast from Birmingham after ITV closed down its Lenton Lane studios, will become a region-wide service covering the whole of the Midlands under the plans. ITV is expected to allow for an opt-out during the programme which would see presenters cross to an East Midlands team for a period of region-specific news.

The changes will be carried out over the next 18 months if they are accepted by watchdog Ofcom.

An ITV source said: "It is the end of an era. The viewers are being robbed of an East Midlands news service. In reality the only people who will be providing news for the East Midlands is the BBC."

There were angry protests when ITV announced it was moving to Birmingham in 2004, leaving just 40 to 50 staff in its newsroom at Terry Lloyd House in Chilwell. Unions are again expected to react strongly to the latest proposals.

Kevin Stanley, NUJ representative for the East Midlands, said: "We would be very concerned to learn of any cuts anywhere in the country, not least in the East Midlands, that affected local news services and local jobs. But it's not just about jobs, it's about providing a diversity of local news services."

Under the proposals, it is understood that Border and Westcountry stations will close, while mergers will take place at Meridian, Tyne Tees, Yorkshire, and Central.

Broxtowe Labour MP Nick Palmer said: "It's a great pity. Apart from the geographical convenience the East and West Midlands do not have that much in common.

"It will be bad news for people who want to find out what's happening in our area and it will push people towards the BBC. I think choice in news broadcasting is very important because otherwise you only get a particular point of view."

A spokesman for the company confirmed it would be unveiling its "strategy update" for the next three to five years, but refused to be drawn on specific details relating to regional news services.

However, ITV boss Michael Grade today pledged to invest in original programming under a "self-help" plan to revive the broadcaster.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133942&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229136&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133951&contentPK=18368521

I think I'll stick to watching BBC

I dont watch Central anyway. As the report says west mids and east mids have nothing in common.

Their still setting up that thing in the square... i walked by yesterday..its something to promote a new film... looks like their setting up a large rat trap for the kids lol... I think its fabulous how their using this square. Have you guys seen the website? It lets you know whats happening in the future at the square...

Anyway..heres some more pics of clumber street I found in a new application they've submitted....

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/1372449813_862f60670b_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1405/1373353550_671900fe56_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/1373353320_72210620c8_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1436/1373353132_a353696508_o.jpg

What do you think?

Totally unremarkable, but preferable to the chavvy pound shop of whatever it was that was there before.

Totally unremarkable, but preferable to the chavvy pound shop of whatever it was that was there before.

It was a card shop, i think!

I agree... it dosn't look as good as those original renders I posted. It does fit in with clumber street though, looks as if it will have some decent materials but as you say, unremarkable.

The best part for me is the restoration of the old building next to it.

How have they managed to get away with changing the designs at this stage. Especially to something that is this bland!!

Can anyone remember where I posted the old designs? Was it the old forum?

:yes:

You'll have a job looking through all the pages though.

I guess it fits in with all the rest of the recent development on clumber street. Its definitely not amazing... I think the phrase for it is that it "fits in".

I think it's ok really. Its on Clumber street which in my opinion is nothing to do with architecture, it's too narrow and busy to be about the buildings, it's just about the shopping and banking. This building is nice, it's not ugly will age well and is a good filler for the street. Any building that neither makes you say "that's amazing architecture, what a shame they wasted it on this narrow road" nor "what a dreadful, dated building" is perfect for Clumber Street in my opinion. It's great we're seeing another bank on that road - a nice big company that will stay in its location for a good long while, hopefully raise the quality of the street that isn't that nice really...the sports world and the mcdonalds, as well as the back entrance to Primark really let the street down - not to mention the building housing "the link" on the corner...

not to mention the building housing "the link" on the corner...

That is the building needs knocking down. I wish there was something I could do to kickstart the process

Application for Marco Island...

07/01794/PFUL3 Marco Island Huntingdon Street Nottingham
Change of use of lower ground floor from car parking to conferencing and kitchens in
association with ground floor, and part leisure use in association with apartments above.
Pending Consideration. The consultation period has not yet expiredStatus Summary:

...hopefully raise the quality of the street that isn't that nice really...the sports world and the mcdonalds...


sports world and maccy ds have to go somewhere tho. might as well be clumber street.

the new design sucks. i know it's just trying to "fit in", but that's exactly the kind of bollocks i hate. it's painfully bland.

I kind of agree.

Btw the Cricket Stand is completely gone and is now just a bunch of rubble.
The Resturant on Central Avenue is coming along quickly and the windows are being fitted on the front. Pretty much the whole frontage of the building is glass.
The major roadworks near Blockbuster which involves the whole area/car park being pedestrianised with trees planted and seating areas put in place.
I drove past tonight and the road is currently being dug up and the work is expected to take 3 months to complete. Whether this time scale is realistic or not is another story as it seems they have alot to do.

Ranny, Where you been these in the last week or so you've been quiet.

heres that development across from southreef... finished now...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/1387442083_f317f02b73_b.jpg

The Victoria Centre guys wasted space with that last expansion I feel. They've got the world of space to mess around with if they ever want to expand.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/1387455153_6e99277c88_b.jpg

I always felt that the car park was in a rather strange postion. It looks like it's been plonked there.
An expansion onto that land would look really good. If they did it thought I wouldn't want them to get rid of the railway tunnel at the end. That's basically the only reminder that we have that there used to be a train station there.

I always felt that the car park was in a rather strange postion. It looks like it's been plonked there.
An expansion onto that land would look really good. If they did it thought I wouldn't want them to get rid of the railway tunnel at the end. That's basically the only reminder that we have that there used to be a train station there.

It really has got plonked there, though! I thought at the time that they redeveloped the Vic Centre (11 years ago!), the 'big hole' could've been used a lot better than it has. They went to the trouble of putting the car park in there, they could have at least filled the space up, rather than leaving gaps.

With the other unused tunnel in Nottingham (Weekday Cross) being bricked up/blocked up, it'd be a shame to see that one also go - but it's a hell of a space for the Victoria Centre to build onto!

The front page is looking great Dan - keep up the good work!

The front page is looking great Dan - keep up the good work!

Thanks furry...its been taking me ages! Been trying to do it bit by bit every day... I'm not sure what to do with these smaller projects just yet, I might just make a little section for them at the bottom and have an index of all the other projects under that.

I think New Nottingham has got much better links than the evening post when it comes to developments in Nottingham. I've noticed the EP dosn't really get any development story before we do anymore... They had some stuff in there about Trinity square and ISIS Waterside going to the table on wednesday at the development comitee... I wrote about this stuff monday last week? Slow coaches..

From EP Today

By David Potter, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: The face of Nottingham has changed significantly over the years with regeneration projects addressing the effects of industrial-isation, removing substandard housing, coping with traffic congestion and developing new shopping areas in the town centre.

Some of the biggest successes include the conservation and restoration of the Lace Market area, the development of the Nottingham University campus and the establishment of the nearby National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont.

But Nottingham is looking to the future now and three exciting regeneration zones have been earmarked close to the city centre, each with huge development potential but with the danger that they will divert attention away from other investment priorities in the city.

The Waterside zone will benefit from its close proximity to a variety of major sporting venues and is in an area that provides local leisure and environmental facilities for the population of Nottingham and the surrounding area.

Within this context, The Waterside could provide an ideal town/country environment for new neighbourhoods within a structure that enhances access and amenity for this riverside regeneration zone.

This needs to be a new zero-carbon community, developed to the highest standards of sustainability, setting the benchmark for other residential schemes around the city.

In contrast, the Eastside zone, which sits alongside the historic Lace Market area, is in a central location ideal for city living and working. The area has already seen incremental change over the years and, with further growth in the pipeline, now is the time to take a wide-ranging and coordinated view of its future development.

With the development of Eastside, we must insist on the best in new architecture, set in the highest quality public open spaces. Exciting and iconic new buildings are needed to help promote the city and secure its future as a regional capital.

Finally, the Southside zone is set to be the regenerated gateway to Nottingham, acting as a smart new link between the railway station and the city centre. It is most important that the city's existing communities, businesses, schools and universities are fully involved in the design and development of this area, sharing their story and their vision for the future of Nottingham.

If Nottingham is to get the most from the planning and investment in these flagship areas, we must have full regard for the wider community and the wider economy. We should all be interested and involved in their eventual success, for in their development lies the future success of the city.

I hope the organisations and agencies involved in the regeneration of these three key zones are wise enough to include us all."

These 3 areas and the way they join the centre give Nottingham the chance to really push to be a major city over the next 20 years. Basically all we need now is for the developers & architects to have some vision and balls to get something off the ground.

These 3 areas and the way they join the centre give Nottingham the chance to really push to be a major city over the next 20 years. Basically all we need now is for the developers & architects to have some vision and balls to get something off the ground.


Here here :cheers:

Hi everyone, ive beena bit quiet of late, so thought i would make a reappearance.

I must admit, I hope im just in a weird mood, but im not as optimistic as normal about Nottingham today. It worries me, with the pod, Lace Market Square and Trinity Square all coming for completion, Nottingham is going to stagnate developmentally very quickly.

Apart from that, we have no other major projects actually underway (with the exception of CCAN and Southreef). Eastside, Waterside, Broadmarsh are all getting very very bogged down in it seems, and i worry the momentum is starting to wane on these schemes. Eastside had so much more hype 2/3 years ago than it does now, and so many people think Broadmarsh has been dropped completely, Westfield marketing managers should be fired.

There is a lot in the pipeline, but I think evident by the lack of news lately, there is a distinct lack of excitement right now as well.

Sorry for being uncharacteristically negative, but its something ive been thinking for the last few weeks now.

It is indeed true that there are worrying issues with regard to Eastside and Broadmarsh, from our perspective we really want them to hurry up, while from their perspective I hope that things are moving behind the scenes to make the schemes as good as possible. I'm particularly worried about Broadmarsh - an announcement about anchors in 'the summer' we were told and yet September (the end of summer) is continuing...no news.

However, when the pod and lace market square, and subsequently trinity square are complete, there will be the CCAN and Southreef as you point out, as well as Pictureworks and Summer Leyes House, Sovereign House (perhaps), probably castle college, lighthouse and we have a new masterplan for the station to be unveiled before the year is out to look forward to. It seems less than there was before, but yet it's probably about the same level of actual development, because lots of what we've been talking about here has been the non-existent waterside, eastside and broadmarsh schemes. They'll happen eventually (we all hope) but the level of our speculation is what's drying up.

Southside seems to be where our interests are going to go to, and that's exciting, an entire city quarter is going to be altered dramatically quite soon, and maybe one of these days we'll have a planning application for Meadows Gateway....

Dan mentioned that was going forward for planning soon. That was a good month ago or so. Hopefully we will see a report from the council by the end of the year. Fingers crossed.

OMS was on Breakfast news this morning - something to do with pigeons. I saw the trailer for the item but not the actual feature.

Also Trent FM are running quite a funny campaign to get Nottingham into Channel 4's Top 10 places to live. Apparently you can nominate on the C4 website (and send pics Danz!)

OMS was on Breakfast news this morning - something to do with pigeons. I saw the trailer for the item but not the actual feature.

Also Trent FM are running quite a funny campaign to get Nottingham into Channel 4's Top 10 places to live. Apparently you can nominate on the C4 website (and send pics Danz!)

I'm on it :lol:

Westfield marketing managers should be fired.

I can't agree with that more... they've hired this PR company to deal with it... so... i was sending all these emails.. that were being redirected to this PR company... that were then being ignored... It was only when I wrote a terribly harsh letter (you owe an explanation to the people of nottingham, your keeping us in the dark etc), that he finally responded and said he wasn't sure where all the other messages had gone. This was the friday before last... he then told me he'd get something to me in the week... he didn't so i rang him up last friday... told me he hadn't forgot about it..was on the case etc. I said i sent an email in the week... he didn't have a clue what I was on about.... Promised to get me something to me this week... well...its wednesday...still nothing


I must admit, I hope im just in a weird mood, but im not as optimistic as normal about Nottingham today. It worries me, with the pod, Lace Market Square and Trinity Square all coming for completion, Nottingham is going to stagnate developmentally very quickly.

Apart from that, we have no other major projects actually underway (with the exception of CCAN and Southreef). Eastside, Waterside, Broadmarsh are all getting very very bogged down in it seems, and i worry the momentum is starting to wane on these schemes. Eastside had so much more hype 2/3 years ago than it does now, and so many people think Broadmarsh has been dropped completely,

There is a lot in the pipeline, but I think evident by the lack of news lately, there is a distinct lack of excitement right now as well.

I think this is problem...its not that we don't have plans and visions...its just that there isn't that much in the construction pipeline right now... once the developments you mentioned are complete there is going to be a significant drop on the amount of cranes on the horizon.... I think this problem applies only to the city centre though...

We forget about the Jubilee Campus, and the Science park... take a look at other city's threads..how many cities have such innovative projects outside the city centre??

I remain optimistic...why? Yes.. we're going to have a brief gap in construction... (we will still have 10 cranes up though)... but I tell you what... when we get back up and running again its going to be like mini Dubai down here... as an estimate...

Sovereigns house - probably 2 cranes big site
Broadmarsh - woa... we'll see 5/6/7 here
Eastside - Take you guess

Once Eastside/waterside starts...there will be continuous developments on those sites for the next ten years, and we won't never have to worry about construction dying out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One more point... I know things have been delayed alot over the last few years but in terms of what we've recently told I don't think anything has slipped further behind that what It should do... for example...

I was going back and reading some old EP report on Broadmarsh... they said anchors would be announced in september... (so there coming soon). And in terms of construction... i've been studying some of the other big retail developments... and NON of them start before the anchors have signed up... final renders are NOT released before the anchors have signed up... NOTHING dosn't happen until the anchors sign up...

We get a bit pissed and impatient sometimes lol...but you have to remember.. Broadmarsh was only granted permission in April...that was only 5 months ago... thats hardly enough time for them to start... think about it? They obviously have to give tenants a certain amount of notice...and the shortest time this would be will be like 6 months... you can say well we're kicking you out in two months because we want to start construction. They've got allow construction companies to get there bids together to construct the scheme...etc.. we haven't even gone 6 months since planning was granted guys lol..

Then Eastside... we spoke about this the other day... it should finally be granted... but then they're going to have to appoint constructors etc...

Just have a look around these threads guys...theres loads of other cities in similar positions...big projects... Leeds Eastgate quarters was was announced...anchors have signed as well..nothings happening right now though... Lumeire towers in leeds...granted last September...nothing happened yet... even our cousins in Leicester...Westbridge towers granted december was it? Nothing happening on site... This is how it is...we're just impatient lol..

Bit projects take time... all these things are all great big enormous projects for notts.

Lumiere has been around for years and only just started really.

I wouldn't want the same mistake made with the new Broadmarsh that was caused when the current one was built. Blank canvas walls and ugly looking bus stations. We really need something that will stand the test of time(sorry for the cheesy saying there) and still look good in 20-30 years time. Hopefully Broadmarsh will look so good that we won't need to go through this whole process of designing a brand new shopping centre again.
If it looks good enough we can just maintain it to a high quality and only replace things such as cladding and the glass roof etc etc.

Guys... Apologies for my absence.... Its all for good causes though...

From Jim - City Council:

Waterside - Granted Outine Planning Permission subject to S106.

Castle College - College building granted subject to S106 and further details of Maid Marian Way elevation and public realm being approved by Committee before permission is issued. Outline permission granted for rest of site subject to S106 and details of public realm being approved by Committee before permission is issued.

Cornerhouse - Granted

Jim

Now... heres for the exciting news... check this out...

I'm down in London for the Property Investment Exhibition... guess who's down here :D Lace Market Properties...

I've just had a big chat with the guys there..they've gave me loads of info..ive took some pics...they've gave me these big info packs... anyway heres what i've found out...

Picture work and Summery leys are due for completion 2009... so they'll start this year (more than likely)...

Meadows gateway...as told before is about to go into planning...the thing that interested me mostly though is this....

Everything below the station and sovereigns house.. LMP OWN IT ALL!!! Every last drop of land around there... all of those warehouses... ALL LMP! (I don't know whether thats good or bad)... Honestly..i've got a picture of a model of the southside and you'll be surprised how many of the warehouse are owned by LMP... He said its there plan to complete the whole southside area by 2016.

They've given me this DVD and i'm going to try and rip it off and get a copy to you guys when I get back in Notts... anyway... i'll try log on when I can

They've got somethere there calling... "Proposed Hilton Building"

:D:D This meadows gateway looks fantastic!!!

Brilliant.

Like you said, not sure if it is a great thing or a slightly bad thing.

Looking forward to seeing the DVD.

Good work yet again.

Great stuff, real detective work Danz! I think it's good that a Nottingham developer owns all of that land, and good that perhaps there'll be more coherence to the area if its all by the same developer than, say, huntingdon street's mish mash...no real opinion to give, just nice to know that it's going to change!
Also...how exciting about meadow's gateway finally going to planning soon, I really love the scheme, have they let you know if they have proposed tenants for the hotel/office space?

Keep up the good work.

Dan you are truly dedicated......tell us more about the proposed Hilton!

Nice work Dan. I was wondering why the EM forum was so dead yesterday and today.

Dan you are truly dedicated......tell us more about the proposed Hilton!

Furry... I'm really not sure what this is myself... I'm going to get this DVD up for you...its about 10 minutes long and it dosn't show a lot... it shows PicturesWorks and Summer Leys in detail...the rest is showing the southside area, the projects around there and the building they own...

Now... in this book they gave me... its marked as a gateway building... but on the DVD... its marked as Proposed Hilton building... is a low rise... no bigger than picture works.. in square shape with an piazza type thing in the middle. Theres no renders.. just a shape..... However it seems obvious to me that non of these other buildings have gone into planning yet (well i'd be surprised if they had). Its the type of place we'd see a high rise (well maybe not with the meadows). They've probably just put something there to show theres plans for the area sorta thing...

What gets me though... is they named it the Hilton Building? As far as I'm aware... there no building there called the Hilton Building at the moment so this would indicate that they've got some sort of talks on with Hilton for a new landmark site in Notts? See where i'm coming from...

I haven't had chance to do this dvd thing yet, i've just got in and i've got to go out again.. missed my train on the way back and the next train was fully booked... its been a long day... i'll get it up for you when I can...

These are the pictures I took of at exhibition...

Picture Works.. this looks fantastic.. that whole area is going to have a real metropolitan feel with all the tallish buildings looming over you...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1075/1419380967_8a3574f091_b.jpg

Summer Leys House

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1038/1420263868_f882430331_b.jpg

Now this is the southside masterplan... yoy can see the large meadows gateway in the middle... from ground level... Meadows gateway is going to look massive!! And very tall.. you'll see what I mean when you see the DVD.

The building on the bottom row.. furthest to the right (as if you was looking north on the towards broadmarsh) is the Hilton Building. Theres some other buildings on the DVD but again... no renders, no real designs. The reason I mentioned this one was because of the Hilton name of course.

The one with the orange dot is Picture Works, Yellow dot summer leys.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/1420263454_f1eafef1f8_b.jpg


Also...how exciting about meadow's gateway finally going to planning soon, I really love the scheme, have they let you know if they have proposed tenants for the hotel/office space?

No tennants yet, they haven't even put in a application yet. I doubt they'll start that stuff until they get the app approved


Like you said, not sure if it is a great thing or a slightly bad thing.

I don't think we've got much to worry about, they seem to have really high aspirations for the southside.

Also got some screen shots from the DVD...

Meadows Gateway....

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/1420317380_d2f1aba067_b.jpg

and again...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/1419433907_126c9caf57_b.jpg

Hilton Thing...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1316/1419433389_4b8c0c0350_b.jpg

Looking at the above map it appears the Hilton Building may well be where there is currently an old derilict building that sits next door to a building with a blue triagular roof, pretty much next to Sovereign House.
Great photo's Dan, I wasn't even aware this exibition was going on. The last thing I went to was Interbuild at the NEC which had loads of different companies but nothing on this scale.
Have you heard of it before?
It could be a good place to have a display for your company as there were many other companies there selling jacuzzi's etc.
It takes place in April (i think). Just thought you'd like to know.

Looking at the above map it appears the Hilton Building may well be where there is currently an old derilict building that sits next door to a building with a blue triagular roof, pretty much next to Sovereign House.

I don't think that hilton building proposal is next to soveriegn house because that would be the 2 rectangular blocks and subsequent square blocks just north of the railway line on the far right of the plan, this proposed building is directly behind the building behind Pictureworks (which looks great).

Meadow's gateway better get through planning relatively untouched - it's mint!

Heres the Video... 68mb, hope you've all got high speed connections. I think you might need quicktime, or itunes or something like that to watch it.

EDIT: LINK DOSNT WORK.. Gimme a sec

here...

http://www.newnottingham.com/Downloads/LMP.zip

Nice music lol

Cool video! Interesting too that they bother to mark on a purple line down Arkwright Walk, they don't highlight what it is, but of course that was a possible tram route for the West Bridgford extension - wonder if LMP think that's still an option?

Great Danz! Made my Saturday much more enjoyable.

http://www.marsh-grochowski.com/

Marsh-Grochowski have redone their website and they've got a load of interesting stuff on there...

Theres this.. redeveloping the old toilets on carrington street. This wont be going ahead though lol

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1425/1431772671_1cd200181a.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1345/1431772537_b250f37c26.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1023/1432648116_8307f84823.jpg?v=0

This... again won't be going ahead. It was there plans for CCAN.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/1432648016_f763e5569d.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/1432647908_f586b63908.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1409/1431772145_399118da43.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1144/1431772019_b15377e14c.jpg?v=0

Lace Market Arts Feature (Awaiting Funding)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/1431771637_2f8f8fc52b.jpg?v=0
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1374/1431771733_1c2775799f.jpg?v=0
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1017/1431771907_50f750bb78.jpg?v=0
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1432/1432647384_cdc2dfb7fd.jpg?v=0

This is something they're doing in west brigeford...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1012/1431771271_14f34671f1.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1314/1432647026_1bfdb40705.jpg?v=0

This is some new theatre for the CTC Academy on the Sherwood rise site.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1137/1431771029_dde755c299.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/1431770913_8be6f2f104.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/1431771141_6c23426a75.jpg?v=0

This is an interesting one.. Castle Wharf (canal) was originally a design competition. This was there plans...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1429/1431770835_75c8a501a5.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/1432646414_e6de104f11.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1403/1432646290_73d8197cb2.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1431770507_fca5104f20.jpg?v=0

Check this out. Part of the roof at the NCT Bus depot near the Ice Stadium caved in this morning. There was als oa report of a small tornado in Long Eaton :nuts:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7010399.stm

Nottingham is the new Bond Street lol....

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=527687

a new UK monopoly board which say Leeds and Leicester take the place of old kent road lol....

The project proposed for West Bridgford looks pretty good.
I hope it goes ahead as the building that currently occupies the site is really boring looking.

West Bridgford Town centre is starting to look really different.
All the new paving has arrived and I didn't realise how much work they were planning on doing.

I need to take a trip down there... anyone know anything more about the tower that we saw?

Which one?

Trent Bridge tower?

The West Bridgford building is quite a handsome building, but looks strange in context with the Edwardian / pre-WW1 domestic scale shopfronts next to it. It's similar to the new restaurant on Central Avenue that they are building - it's an interesting contemporary building, but at odds with what's there already.

Yes I agree although I think the resturant on Central Avenue will fit in quite well when it's complete as it's not that in your face.
The big window at the front will look good especially at night when all the lighting from the resturant is flooding out onto the street.

all very interesting cheers

Ranny where you been recently?
Havent heard from you for quite a while.

Whilst driving along University Boulevard I noticed a building U/C over the road from the university entrance.
Does anyone know what this is about?

Science Park and Toyota/Castle College project.

:okay:

I couldn't really tell what it was as it was dark.
How many cranes are on the site?

2 I think? i cant remember?

I really need a drive down there.

Ages since i have been to University for a walk. So long i have seen none of the development across the road.

A trip this weekend hopefully is in order.

Take your camera aswell :okay:

I have to go up to Leeds tomorrow to take all my gear up to the house and enrole again for uni on friday so I won't be on here for a while.
Keep the regular photos coming guys it'll be nice to se some progress when Im back at uni for lectures on monday and away from Nottingham for montly periods.

this should be an interesting addition to the city...

Nottingham could soon be the first city in England outside London to have its own Speakers' Corner.
The London-based Speakers' Corner Trust is considering setting up an area to promote public speaking.

One suggested location for the pilot venture in Nottingham is the newly-refurbished Old Market Square.

The Hyde Park location in London was established in the 19th Century to give the public a platform to have their say on a topic of their choice.

Peter Bradley, director of the Speakers' Corner Trust, said: "It will provide a new kind of landmark in the city centre - more attraction, vitality and colour in the city.

"It is good for the city centre - the shopkeepers will like it because it will bring more people to the city centre. It will be a great showcase for the city itself."

He said Nottingham had been chosen for the pilot because it was a major city with a diverse community.

The trust was set up in early 2007 by Mr Bradley, former MP for The Wrekin in the West Midlands and Euan Edworthy, whose work led to the first Speakers' Corner in mainland Europe in Prague in 2004.

http://www.speakerscornertrust.org/programmes/

Some more interesting info on speakers corner.

Would you actually like to stand up in front of loads of people and talk about a subject thats important to you, that others will probably think is a load of bollocks.
I know I wouldn't.

lol haa.. i see what your saying? Not really but...

I guess.. if it does work it could become something special for Nottingham.

I guess in away it would encourage people to speak out on issues.

It could be a good thing as it will be unique.
It could also however be a place where people would go just to winge about something.
Maybe we could do one to encourage high rise development in Nottingham :lol:

lol :lol:... that would be the one.

ive been planning to head to london and shout at ppl in spkrs crnr for years! now i can just do it here! just need some drugs/alcohol/inspiration and i'll be up there screaming total bollocks at everyone using my megaphone haha.

:lol:

What will your topic be about?

It could also however be a place where people would go just to winge about something.

Presumably that's why they've come to Nottingham...

Nottingham won the 'Large City category in Britain in Bloom again this year. I'm no gardener but I think it's great when Nottingham wins national awards such as these. Greenery makes the city so much more attractive in my opinion.

Here's the article from the Evening Post:


FLOWER POWER AS CITY REGAINS TITLE
11:00 - 27 September 2007
Nottingham is the best in Britain for flowers.

It claimed the title of best large city in the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom awards, which were announced at an award ceremony last night.

Nottingham has won the title three times before, but not since 2003.

It is important recognition for the city, as Britain In Bloom is the largest horticultural campaign in Europe.

However, the awards are not just about plants; marking also covers green issues, including local nature reserves and community involvement.

The judges said they were particularly impressed with projects such as Arkwright Meadows Community garden, awarding the city an additional discretionary RHS Britain in Bloom Community Award.

Hugh White, the city's director of sport, leisure and parks, said: "Nottingham in Bloom has worked with thousands of people this year, and everyone who's been involved can feel proud of the part they played in the success.

"The real win for the city is the difference being made by dedicated people who care about making their neighbourhood cleaner and greener for the benefit of all."

Judge Mark Wasilewski said: "The many community schemes which were witnessed in all aspects of city life oozed enthusiasm, commitment and achievement throughout, especially the Arkwright Meadows Community garden and Mayfield Court sheltered housing schemes."

This year also marked Nottingham's first entry into the competition since the revamped Old Market Square was opened.

The transformation of Old Market Square was integral to the win, as 30% of the marks were awarded for permanent landscaping.

Mr Wasilewski added: "The standards of design and quality of horticultural features throughout this vibrant university city were outstanding throughout and a credit to all concerned."

Nottingham beat Plymouth and Leeds, the other two entries in large city category.

It won the right to represent the region after its triumph in East Midlands in Bloom last year. It has won gold awards in a string of categories in recent years, but missed out on the overall title.

Judges visited the city on August 2, marking the city for floral displays, permanent landscaping, cleanliness, sustainability and nature reserves, and public awareness.

Nottingham in Bloom representatives took them on a tour of the city which included Wollaton Park, the Castle, University of Nottingham and Arboretum. Wollaton Park's newly-restored Camellia House was also among the sights on show, along with the city's many floral traffic islands.

A total of 68 finalists were judged as RHS representatives travelled the length and breadth of Britain. They awarded 14 gold, 26 silver gilt, 24 silver and four bronze awards.

Good news again for the city.

I didn't even realise we'd won it before.

lol a few years ago it seemed like we were always winning it!

lol :lol: Why did u change ur name stef? I thought we had a new forum member for a minute.

Because Im not 17 anymore, I just couldn't think of a different name that was available at the time :)

Has anyone been down Hucknall Road recently? there are a few developments along there. One is currently U/C and there are a few that have recently been completed.
there nothing big but they've smartened the area up quite alot. There mostly just apartment complex's

Which part of hucknall road? Near the tesco?

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/planning/Report/PROGRESSREPORT.PDF

^^ Application for the ice rink has been put through.

The first regeneration conference is to be held in the Nottingham East Midlands Conference Centre.

It will celebrate recent urban projects and look forward to future schemes.

High-profile names in the property world are already lined up the event at the East Midlands Conference Centre on November 13.

They include English Partnerships, Urban Splash, Make, the Housing Corporation and the region's regeneration companies.

The conference will have workshops, presentations and an exhibition attracting hundreds of regeneration experts.

Opening the event will be Barry Horn, corporate director of regeneration for Nottingham City Council.

He said: "This is important for Nottingham and for regeneration."

Confirmed speakers include David Hughes, English Partnerships' regional director. He will discuss the merger of English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation.

Other speakers will include Nick Ebbs, chief executive of regional property investment fund blueprint, and Marc Cole, chief executive of Nottingham Regeneration Limited.

Mr Cole said: "This is the first time a regeneration event of this scale will take place in our region which is excellent news for Nottingham.

"The East Midlands is enjoying a sustained period of renaissance which will benefit all those living, working and visiting the area. The conference will be a chance to come together celebrate that change and exchange ideas."

Economic development will include talks by The Bank of England and Derby Cityscape who will be discussing the East Midlands' impact on the UK economy.

For more details call Tara at Consortium Events on 01636 703906 or to buy tickets, log on to www.consortiumevents.co.uk .

This could be great for the city. Urban splash are coming and they don't have any projects in the city yet. All the networking could lead to a lot of deals been done :D

http://www.urbansplash.co.uk/us.php - Take a look at urban splash's website, they've got a lot of interesting projects.

Im thinking about going... build up some links for the website... imagine if Mr Chek Whytes there :D

Which part of hucknall road? Near the tesco?

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/planning/Report/PROGRESSREPORT.PDF

^^ Application for the ice rink has been put through.

It's the section between the Forest Island and The Audi garage near the McDonalds.

Do you know where I mean? Im not very good at explaining places.

^^ I'd like to see Urban Splash do a few projects in Notts as there always of high quality.
There doing The Rotunda in Birmingham I Think and that looks brilliant. They usually refurbish old buildings and turn them into luxury apartments. There doing that with a group of tower blocks in Leeds.

A Super-college could be created in the city after secret merger talks.

Castle College board met privately and discussed setting up talks with New College Nottingham after the two principals spoke on the phone.

But details of the conversations have been leaked to teaching unions.

The University and Colleges Union at NCN is already threatening strikes and a legal challenge over alleged internal problems and says dealing with these must be a priority.

In an e-mail to principal Geoff Hall, the union says: "You now have many very bitter and angry teaching staff....Perhaps you have been too busy in secret meetings with Castle College to be aware of all this?"

Education expert Professor Roger Murphy, of the University of Nottingham, said: "A merger would mean rationalised resources and enable the college to provide a better service."

The governing body of Castle College has approved a meeting with NCN. South Nottingham College had also had merger talks with NCN, which are now in the balance.

What do you guys think of this? I'm not sure a merger is the best Idea. NCN have loads of problems. I went to NCN high pavement when they moved into town and the staff there were so unhappy.

Competition wise i don't like it either. Castle College have some great aspirations, the toyota thing, the castle college redevelopment, they've brought up a number of sites around the city to help their expansion.

A merge with South Notts would be a bad idea. I went to NCN Basford Hall and it was crap. The course was good and everything but the building was falling apart.

When NCN Brought up all of those little colleges its brought lots of problems in the management. I did business a Business A Level and when the teacher was explaining about all the problems business mergers could cause.. she would always use NCN itself as an example of all the bad problems.

How come Castle College will be merging with NCN anway?

Im sure they merged with Broxtowe College a couple of years back hence the name change from Peoples College to Castle College.

Why is this forum so dead tonight? It's been like this for the past few days aswell :(

I've been out snapping goose fair :D

Re the merger: I'm not sure stef... Castle College wanted to merge with NCN before the Broxtowe merger though. I bet its just the board members thinking of money.. if NCN and Castle merge they will have a lot more funds available to themselves.

Oh yeah I completely forgot about Goose Fair. I haven't been there for years but always remember looking down to gaze at a sea of lights. I'ts such good fun to go there.
Did you get some good snaps? Put them in the Urban Gallery :yes:

I will do when i've processed them.

Take a look at this. http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planningmatters-nottinghamcitydevelopmentsites.pdf

It lists the sights the council have market for regeneration and also their possible uses. We don't really have an awful lot of space to mess around with which is why it is important we manage our space well... best designs possible in each one.

Some interesting finds:

- Eastcroft Depot (Next to Southreef) is marketed. "Demand for good quality offices, multi-story similar to waterfront plaza"

- Meadow Lane Site - Possibility of a mixed use development however the site is constrained because of multiple ownerships and tenancies.

- Bus Depots - Building are "old but fit for purpose". (I really don't think Eastside plan to keep the facades? I might be wrong though)

There is lots of other bits and bobs on there. Very interesting.

the Goose Fair was great this year, I headed down on weds night. Was great fun, and i swear there were more 'big' rides. It looks so impressive as u drive up Mansfield road, gives a real sense of scale! Hope the photos came out ok with all that light!

Im really looking forward to seeing them. Any ideas when you'll have them on here Dan? :)

I've got a few and i'll put them on later today but I haven't really been and done a real photo shoot out there with my tripod and all that.

I'm going to go down at about half six and try and catch the sunset in with all the light of the fair. I don't know if it'll work because I'm not really all that good at taking pictures... never mind with the additional light to confuse the camera.

The fair is great though. Really busy as always... they've done a lot (as usual) to minimise traffic in the area and Gregory boulevard has been flowing fairly fast. I was on there till 11 last night with my girlfriend when it closed and the wardens were really quick to get things closed down at 11.

They tried to use Wilkinson Street Park and Ride as the official parking for the fair. I don't think people got the idea though... the trams were all busy but more on the ones into town. The park and ride wasn't really that full at all (ASDA Car Park was though!)

From EP

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is set to axe some night buses because they are losing cash.

Its four Night Rider routes which run between 1am and 5am Monday to Thursday, will be withdrawn from November 24.

The company says the 96, 97, 98 and 99 services have lost £105,000 in the last 18 months.

The buses average only 8.5 passengers per trip.

NCT will instead introduce eight Friday and Saturday night routes from November 30.

The services will depart at 1am, 2am and 3am and will use low floor accessible buses fitted with CCTV.

Anthony Carver-Smith, network development and quality controller for NCT, said the company could not continue to lose money on the weeknight buses.

He said: "It is basically because they haemorrhage money.

"Over the week they trundle around with very few people on them.

"If the services became viable again there is nothing to stop us saying 'we can roll it back out again'."

From November 30, the fare on the night buses will be cut to £2 per person, with Easyrider City and Anytime cards also valid for travel without a supplement fare.

NCT will also produce a special night bus timetable to be distributed to households as part of a wider late-night strategy.

All-day City Rider tickets can be used on the new night buses following the introduction of a later 4.30am cut off period for day tickets.

Marketing and communications director Nicola Tidy said: "Our passengers have told us that our existing night bus network is too complicated because people are unfamiliar with the long circular routes.

"We've looked very closely at where the key demand is for our current night services and have identified an initial batch of eight routes we'll be running at the weekends."

The new weekend buses, the N6, N27, N28, N36, N48, N58 and N77 and N89 will run from the city centre to various parts of the city and surrounding areas.

I've never once caught the nightbus home. If it's 2 quid each and your with a group of 4, you might aswell get a taxi.

Has anyone else noticed that the university building over from the QMC has got metal things running up it. There commonly used when a building is undergoing a refurbishment.
It's the concrete tower near the walkway that spans the road. I'd like to no whats going on with that as Im not in Nottingham at the moment.

Yeah i've seen that a few times. The uni hasn't got it listed on its development page.

Hmm... haven't been on here for a while. Must've got lost when the old Nottingham thread was locked.

You'll be reading forever to catch up mate.. since you've been on last major advances are...

- Castle College Proposed and now approved
- Broadmarsh - M&S and Debenhams as anchors
- ISIS Waterside Approved
- Sovereigns House Approved
- And as you can see.. we know have an em forums (though i think i'm ready for another split. :D

Loads of other bits and bobs but else majority important. A lot of advances in construction.

The tower on main campus u refer to is part of the School of Engineering, but I think its unlikely to be a major reclad or refurbishment, as the inside was updated only a couple of years ago. More likely is that they are changing the windows. About 2years ago someone committed suicide from the tower, so they are altering the windows so it cant happen again.

The other main project the uni has been undertaking this year:
-Former student bar 'The Ark' has been totally renovated, and the adjacent rooms knocked into one to form a new bar and nightclub. 'Mooch' is a quiet relaxed cafe and bar, meanwhile 'Venue' is the first dedicated nightclub on main campus. The work cost £700,000.
-George Green, Greenfield Medical and Hallward libraries have also been extensively refurbished over the summer

I didn't even know someone comitted suicide from the building. The stress that we students have to put up with aye :|

The other main project the uni has been undertaking this year:
-Former student bar 'The Ark' has been totally renovated, and the adjacent rooms knocked into one to form a new bar and nightclub. 'Mooch' is a quiet relaxed cafe and bar, meanwhile 'Venue' is the first dedicated nightclub on main campus. The work cost £700,000.
-George Green, Greenfield Medical and Hallward libraries have also been extensively refurbished over the summer


in previous summers i have worked in hallward library doing general labour stuff like moving shelves and books while it's being refurbed. good work, no stress.

man - seriously i could go on for hours about the bars on the uni campus*. i've gone drinking there for years since im from beeston and live nearby. the new replacement ark bar is pretty nice - chilled out there a couple of weeks back, full of friendly people.

the bars round the halls tho - these are a different story. i still like them because they're cheap. but boy oh boy have they fucked up the refurbishments there. oh dear oh dear. those hall bars used to be hedonistic little fun zones until this summer, each one with it's own character that was purely about fun. now they've done them up so they all look the same! no individuality at all......and, seriously - they've done them up so they feel like an old people's home! what the hell were they thinking? there are pictures of "smug/cool/trendy/intellectual" looking people sipping coffee up around each bar!!!!!! i mean - it's a FUCKING UNIVERSITY HALL BAR!!!! it's supposed to be grimy but cosy, friendly and hedonistic - sort of place you could chill out or have a rave in. that's what you want! not a really horrible, cheap, corporate coffee shithouse that's exactly the same as the one in the next hall. i mean, what the flying fuck?! it may not surprise you to hear that these bars are always empty.

it kind of distresses me in a way - i hope this wasnt based on market research baecause that would indicate that young people these days are too busy trying to look cool and sophisticated to actually let their hair down and have fun. i really hope this isn't actually what they want. judging by how deserted these bars are now - i guess i can have faith in the kids.

pharmj - have you been to these bars at all? are you a student at notts?


*well as it turned out, i did. i could bitch for england

i mean, what the flying fuck?!

Genius!

I'm guessing your really mad about the refurbs - haha!

I noticed today that I'm only on 57 posts, but my last 10 post at least have all been 57 posts. I'm stuck! On both the Edinburgh and Nottingham threads...:ohno:

Ok...now 58! Typical - you draw attention to something and it changes!

Ok. I'm sorry that I'm a twat - it doesn't say which number post it is, just how many post's it's been. So that's why when I noticed the post count earlier they all said 57...they should never leave me alone with technology...

:lol:

The system has been mixing posts up all week it could be something to do with that, unless you took some very hallucinagenic drugs earlier

lol @ Oats...

I did work experiance on the uni.. never new they had bars in the halls.. that must be great.. but it sounds they've made a mess of things from what your saying... that uni's amazing though.. its like its own little segregated world.... they've got there own theatre, their own lakes, there own bars, there own banks, there own everything.

I was driving by the uni last sunday night and there where hundreds of them yellow buses shifting around the freshers. That uni's great though.. beautiful setting.

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/estate/overseas.htm - Look at some of the masterplans they've got fort the campuses out in malaysia and china.

Do the uni students in the UK have any advantages to them having oversea campuses? Can they just go abroad and stay in china for example?

If they were doing a subject related to the uni that is specialised at the uni in malaysia they might be able to go over and study there. I don't really know much about it to be honest.
Im not sure if Leeds Met have a partnership with anyone.

Tesco in Top Valley have put in an application to erect a wind turbine.

And heres the app for the ice rink for those who are interested.

http://plan4.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Page-1?extension=.pdf&page=1&wmTransparency=0&id=620847&wmLocation=0&location=VOLUME6&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=6

pharmj - have you been to these bars at all? are you a student at notts?

Yea i did my undergraduate degree here, so have been to all the bars, mostly doing foolish campus 14 bar crawls and dying slightly each time! I havnt been since the refurbed a lot of them, but when it went down it was very very controversial. Nottingham Hospitality (who cater all uni stuff) are a disgrace on the whole, and should never be used! lol.

Do the uni students in the UK have any advantages to them having oversea campuses? Can they just go abroad and stay in china for example?

Yes the UK students do have that right, as long as the degree you are doing tallies up with the course offerered in Malaysia/China. Pharmacy (my degree) for example is offered in Malaysia (incidentally the 1st course in the UK to be allowed to do this) where u can do the middle year or two there. Equally lots of students from those countries come here for 1/2 years. The Nottingham-China link is unparralled and incredible clever foresight from the uni, since its a link that will be worth billions in the future, for both Nottingham and the uni itself. They already have an Economic office for the City of Nottingham based in Ningbo on the uni campus, directly dealing with improving business ties between the two places.

Great Stuff... that really is a great link. It would also be nice to see some science collaboration between the two cities.

Maber associates have redone their website and have a few new pics up.

Heres one of Maiden Lane. I've not seen this before but I really like it. I'd love to live on that top floor.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/1516640591_64b9f3dd14_o.jpg

Theres also a masterplan for a 31 acres site called sherwood business park. Its further out in Mansfield. It looks like the Science Park they're doing in Leicester.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/1516642335_0ffe1b5386_o.jpg

The apartment complex by Maber looks quite nice although I would have liked to see something abit taller proposed for the site. I doubt whether the council would approve it though.

Sounds interesting!

CONTINENTAL style late night arts and entertainment events could be coming to the streets of Nottingham.

The city council is in discussion with other large cities and the Association of Town Centre Management to introduce a programme of events around the country.

The events would be based on White Nights which are popular in France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Entertainment is offered for all ages and continues throughout the night.

For more details see tomorrow's Evening Post

Here's more info. This sounds amazing....

it will really help to give us that 24 hour feel in the city. live entertainment in Notts till 3AM!

Nine cities fight the blight of booze with Light Nights


Martin Wainwright
Monday October 8, 2007
The Guardian

Nine of Britain's biggest cities are banding together this winter to test the continental idea of Light Nights as an antidote to the drinking culture that has swamped the notion of 24-hour cities.
Luminous trapeze artists, torchlit tours and hundreds of people dancing in white clothes after midnight will kick off the programme in Leeds this week, after talks with Barcelona and Italian towns where la notte bianca is a long-standing cultural success.

Trial events in Leeds last year were a hit, with families effectively reclaiming the central area from its ever-increasing number of "vertical drinking" bars. A fortnight of events included a marching bagpipe band, concerts on rooftops and film projections on building facades.

The size of crowds watching and taking part in the various spectaculars has triggered this winter's initiative, which will see Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield and Reading join in. Nottingham was added to the list this week with a Light Night confirmed for February and Liverpool is planning an event in January, at the start of its year as European capital of culture.

The programme, one of the biggest joint cultural exercises undertaken by city councils in Britain, has been nurtured by the Association of Town Centre Management, which is expected to add a £500,000 grant to the budgets of the different festivals. The association's development director, Martin Blackwell, said: "We saw the potential of Light Night when we took delegates from seven cities to Lake Como earlier this year. The Italians put on 47 special trains, 200,000 visitors took to the streets and you couldn't walk for the crush at 3 o'clock in the morning. We believe that Light Nights can transform people's view of UK city culture, as well as acting as a beacon for tourists all over the world."

The initiative follows frustration in cities such as Leeds that their centres, while clearly booming, are known more for alcohol than the original 24-hour city ideal of liveliness and a range of facilities - shops, cinemas and galleries as well as bars - open round the clock.

The main celebrations will initially focus on one night - this Friday in the case of Leeds - but with associated events continuing for two weeks. Organisers in each city hope that Light Night culture will spread, encouraging more people towards live entertainment.

Almost all events will be free and local bus services will be extended.

Deborah Sanderson, artistic director of Urban Angels whose trapeze artists disguised as spiders, insects and birds will recreate a rainforest canopy over Leeds' main shopping street, said: "Who wouldn't want to switch off the TV to experience this? Light Nights are about theatricality and skill, but also audience involvement. Leeds and the other cities after dark are going to be different places."

The council have also lined up loads of events (http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/sitemap/services/leisure_and_culture/museumsandgalleries/christmas_events_and_exhibitions_in_nottingham.htm) in the city centre for xmas...

As well as the Ice Rink they've got the usual german market, a craft market, some snow ice themed late night shopping events, brass bands and carol singers in the square all sorts.

the bars round the halls tho - these are a different story. i still like them because they're cheap. but boy oh boy have they fucked up the refurbishments there. oh dear oh dear. those hall bars used to be hedonistic little fun zones until this summer, each one with it's own character that was purely about fun. now they've done them up so they all look the same! no individuality at all......and, seriously - they've done them up so they feel like an old people's home! what the hell were they thinking? there are pictures of "smug/cool/trendy/intellectual" looking people sipping coffee up around each bar!!!!!! i mean - it's a FUCKING UNIVERSITY HALL BAR!!!! it's supposed to be grimy but cosy, friendly and hedonistic - sort of place you could chill out or have a rave in. that's what you want! not a really horrible, cheap, corporate coffee shithouse that's exactly the same as the one in the next hall. i mean, what the flying fuck?! it may not surprise you to hear that these bars are always empty.

I was in Lincoln Hall from 1991 to 1993, and our bar was always heaving. I bet it's nothing like what it was, especially now it's a mixed(!) hall...

^that the one with the piano? loved that........of course it has now gone and been replaced by bland, uncomfortable, corporote bollocks.

over 10,000 views!! By far the most popular thread in the EM Forum.

Hopefully we can keep it up. There will be some exciting projects coming along in 2008 so this thread should stay busy.

Has Meadows Gateway gone forward for planning yet?

nope

More news on the light night things...

Torchlit parades, trapeze artists, live music...

It may sound continental, but this late-night street entertainment could soon fill the city centre.

Light Nights have proved popular in Italy, France, Germany and Spain.

The city council is considering plans to recreate them here - to attract a diverse group of people, not just drinkers.

It has joined eight other cities to develop plans with the Association of Town Centre Managers.

Together they hope to attract a major sponsor to cover the cost of the events.

Jane Dykes, Nottingham's city centre manager, said: "It is about bringing different types of events and activities into the town centre, the likes of which have been done on the continent for a number of years. It is a cultural festival."

Nottingham is planning a trial run in February, with a full Light Night programme in February 2009.

It has not released details of what it is planning.

Council officers stress that negotiations are at an early stage and Light Nights in Nottingham will depend on significant sponsorship.

A trial event in Leeds last year included a marching bagpipe band, concerts on rooftops and film projections on to buildings.

This year, it is hoped luminous trapeze artists and white clad dancers after midnight will bring in the crowds.

In Nottingham, events would not centre on the square but make use of the Castle, shopping centres and public buildings such as the Central Library.

On the continent, Light Nights include shops staying open late.

The council intends to contact pubs and traders with a view to some of the street acts moving indoors later in the evening.

Martin Blackwell, membership development director at the Association of Town Centre Management, said he had worked on the project for a year.

He said: "These events are common now on the continent and it is really catching on here. We think we can broker some significant sponsorship to help the vents and develop the Light Night idea so the public can understand what it is. We can then develop tourism opportunities for people to go to different cities. That does happen on the continent. People make it into a long weekend."

Moves to bring more entertainment into the city follow the events that marked the reopening of Old Market Square in the spring.

A music festival, pyrotechnics, dancers, children's entertainers and performers occupied the square for two weeks at a cost of £400,000.

Opinion was split between those who welcomed the spectacle as a way of forging a stronger and more positive identity for the city and those who thought it a waste of public money.

From November 21, an open air ice rink will be placed in the square for seven weeks

What do you guys think of this?

Great idea. Anything that attempts to move the night-time economy further from soley a "vertical drinking" culture gets my vote.

66 London Road has been recommended for approval. An application has popped up this morning for 68 London road? No details yet though.

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/academy_designs_.htm

Designs for the two city acadamies go on display tommorow. The architects are Atkins... check this out... Atkins also did the Burj Al Arab (the sail building, 7* hotel)) in Dubai, Millenium stadium, and loads of other amazing stuff.

http://www.atkinsdesign.com/

Atkins was the company i was working for in the US last year (well its faithful and gould but they are now owned by atkins) There a very big company their doing stuff on the new world trade center in NYC too, so this is very good news!

City Academies often seem to have very renowned architects it seems to me, as projects they seem to attract big names. The existing Djanogoly Academy is by Foster and Partners. It's great to have Atkins working in the city, a real starchitect as they say!

Oh look these two bellends are back with their shitty views on places to live.
Whats your prediction on where Nottingham will be this year then?
Some of the people who left comments really are idiots.

http://channel4bestandworst.com/

Not so good news.

Sport bosses in Nottinghamshire have said they are disappointed the county has been overlooked as a venue for the 2012 Olympics.
They said the watersports centre at Holme Pierrepont should have been considered after the original London site for canoeing was scrapped.

It would have been more economical and spread benefits of the games around the country, Sport Nottinghamshire said.

But Olympic organisers said they wanted a more central location.


Come to us and spread the games
Simon Starr, Sport Nottinghamshire
The future of Holme Pierrepont, which has a rowing lake and canoeing course, has been uncertain since Sport England withdrew £1.4m of funding.

The original 2012 canoeing course in east London had to be abandoned because of contamination.

But Simon Starr, director of Sport Nottinghamshire, believed money would be better spent upgrading it rather than building a new venue in London.

"There is nothing to stop us making representations to the London organising committee in the first place and say, 'Look we have a quality facility here put some investment here'.

Aging facilities

"You are already struggling on costs - we know that every Olympic Games does - so come to us and spread the games, let the people get greater access to the games and wouldn't that be a fantastic boost to sport in the county?"

A spokesman for the Olympic Delivery Authority said: "Broxbourne (in London) is the ideal location for the canoe facilities because it's easy for athletes and spectators to reach.

"In establishing an alternative site, we always intended to maintain our long-standing commitment to a facility in the Lee Valley."

Holme Pierrepont was opened 30 years ago and has seen many Olympians decide to train overseas.

Do you think the new facilities at Broxbourne will have a detrimental effect on Holme Pierrepont? We used to have the National Cycling Centre at Leicester's Velodrome, until Manchester built one for its Game bids...

I think Holme Pierrepont has been largely superceded, to be honest. Good for its time, but needing a lot to be spent on it to make it of a modern standard.

i was about to say something similar. I'm hoping at some stage they'll look at totally revamping the area.

HP was a big part of the "Trent Park (http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/brochure_final_version_nov_05.pdf)" scheme (which involves river taxi's lol) so I guess it will see some investment at some stage.

It is a shame that the Olympic organisers shunned Nottingham on this. They chose Weymouth for the sailing, which is miles away from London...

Wheres the Ice Skating??

Isn't Ice Skating a Winter Olympic sport?

Oh yeah...?

A planning application has been submitted for new apartments on Malin Hill. Not big proposals but occupy a very prominent position on Lace Market Cliff above the London Road Island.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4012/malinhillzj3.jpg

Anyone know what happened with this? I was just browsing through the old thread and found it. Furry posted it.

Also what happened to that christian centre 90-odd metre tall cross??? Thought it was approved?

I think it was rejected as being too intrusive for that site. It is one of the most dramatic and historic views in the city, after all.

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/3025/nottinghamchristiancentre4nb.jpg

and this...

http://i7.tinypic.com/4i2rfau.jpg

and this...

http://i19.tinypic.com/4uym0rn.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/998705935_14efd7ec6d_o.jpg

Remember this..??

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/110/pc020072ez6.jpg

Gosh... looking through that thread it reminds you how much things have progressed in the last few year....

oh my gosh... this nearly brings back tears... remember this...

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/46971BrookStreet_pic1.jpg

I think it was rejected as being too intrusive for that site. It is one of the most dramatic and historic views in the city, after all.

understandable.

The way the posts have landed it looks like the Christian Cross was refused permission, but it wasn't - the Malin Hill one was.

I understood....

I looks like they've changed the app for the christian centre. There is no longer cross... its just a spire instead... Though.. it does look very different... and maybe even iconic (depending on what type of materials will be used).

Designed by Benoy Architects.

http://www.christian-centre.org/images/inspire/benoy1.jpg http://www.christian-centre.org/images/inspire/benoy2.jpg

http://www.christian-centre.org/images/inspire/benoy3.jpg http://www.christian-centre.org/images/inspire/benoy4.jpg

woops.. they're infact 2 different concepts.

I like the look of the first one. Im glad they changed the design I wasn't really a fan of having a massive cross as Im not religious.

nah i wasn't too happy with the idea of a big cross looming over town. no problem with religions or anything, i just don't think it would have been appropriate

^^ Agreed. Even if I was religious I don't think a giant cross would look particularly attractive.
I really like the look of the 2 redesign's but the first one swings it for me. The base looks alot nicer and less imposing at ground level.

is that bridgford road/a60 development happening? wow thats impressive,

i can't see this apartment bubble lasting much longer. if you look at the change in flat prices, just over the last year, flats are crashing in price..

in 2006 august - average flat price was 110,500

in 2007 august - average flat price was 84,000

thats a price drop of -24%, in just one year. total collapse!

here is the source of the stats:
http://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices_report.htm?location=ng2&lastyear=1

i think its all going to burst, we just have more and more of them on the market, more construction.. whose going to buy them? no buyers = no profit = no construction.

hope not to be too gloomy, but i think we can kiss eastside goodbye realistically if things continue.

we had an estate agent round the other day to value our house, and he said.. 'thankgod your selling a house, i go to flat after flat, and nobody wants them'

Guys, just to let you know that the second Southreef crane is now up. It looks exactly the same as the other one.

Guys, just to let you know that the second Southreef crane is now up. It looks exactly the same as the other one.

Arrghh.. I missed it. Anyone know when It went up? I'll get that on New Nott's crane count when I go get a pic 2moz.

is that bridgford road/a60 development happening? wow thats impressive,

i can't see this apartment bubble lasting much longer. if you look at the change in flat prices, just over the last year, flats are crashing in price..

in 2006 august - average flat price was 110,500

in 2007 august - average flat price was 84,000

thats a price drop of -24%, in just one year. total collapse!

here is the source of the stats:
http://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices_report.htm?location=ng2&lastyear=1

i think its all going to burst, we just have more and more of them on the market, more construction.. whose going to buy them? no buyers = no profit = no construction.

hope not to be too gloomy, but i think we can kiss eastside goodbye realistically if things continue.

we had an estate agent round the other day to value our house, and he said.. 'thankgod your selling a house, i go to flat after flat, and nobody wants them'

Kev... the report you were looking at was for the NG2 area only. If you look at the report for the NG1 area (here (http://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices_report.htm?location=ng1&startmonth=08&startyear=2006&endmonth=08&endyear=2007)), the average flat price has risen 20% from £122,500 to £146,500 which is obviously good news.

The thing I don't get though is that that website says only 10 apartments have sold in the NG1 area, (13 in NG2). This is obviously not correct.... then again.. it might be.. it depends how many of those people rent.

I was talking with LMP at the exhibition in London and they sounded so very confident that all their scheme would sell out. They've sold something like 60% (or it might have been 16%, I can't remember... thats still good anyway) of pictureworks and they haven't even started building it yet. Every apartment scheme LMP do sells out... look at litmus... people have started moving in but I was looking about 3 months ago and there were only 2 apartments left.

I don't think we have an over supply of apartments just yet. With Eastside and the other projects that are going ahead I think that will be plenty to be honest.
If Nottingham expands as a business city which it is doing (slowly) then the demand for apartments will increase.

Kev... the report you were looking at was for the NG2 area only

oh shit - you're right!

having checked again, stats for notts as a whole are -

http://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices_report.htm?location=nottingham&startmonth=08&startyear=2006&endmonth=08&endyear=2007

Flats down from £125,059 to £101,552, decrease of -19%

its a dodgy market if you want to buy a flat thats for sure, perhaps NG1 might be ok, but anything outside of that you're looking at a big loss

I'm currently living in 'continental europe' (it's so great to be able to sound that arsey!) and it's interesting to see that it's just part of what cities are like that there are appartment blocks. I'm living in the Netherlands but even in the little cities (some are very small) as well as the big ones, flats are everywhere in centres. Nottingham's explosion of flats (like most British cities), I feel, is making it more in line with what is typical of continental cities, but I wonder at what point people's attitudes will really accept flats in city centres as 'normal' I think they're viewed by a lot of people as a bit of a gimmik at the moment.

woops... wrong thread

I can't remember if i've post this before. Its a snippet from the ep.

It would be an opportunity missed if Rushcliffe Borough Council did not allow redevelopment across a wider area by incorporating the Civic Centre into the project. Originally constructed as the Bridgford Hotel, this building now provides offices of only modest to poor quality and is mainly notable as one of the ugliest landmarks in Greater Nottingham.

The wider site - of nearly 13 acres - would accommodate a landmark twin tower or even triple tower complex with a dramatic contemporary design and a height of at least 20 storeys. The impact on the skyline would be more dramatic than can be imagined and would certainly be a fitting successor to the current stadium.

The site could be developed with more than 750,000sq ft of floor space with a value exceeding £250m.

There would be opportunities for luxury apartments with remarkable views of the Trent Valley and cityscape to the north.

The apartments would be complimented by employment opportunities within prestigious office space in one of the towers. I think it likely the borough council would endorse the development by securing part of it for a new civic HQ.

A number of major hotel operators would compete to take up space and this could be the location for the five-star operation Nottingham has so far failed to attract. The 150-bed hotel might even use the international status of the Trent Bridge location to incorporate extensive conferencing and banqueting facilities. At the base of the towers there will be a lower "plinth" built on several levels across a more extensive area. There will be a queue of companies wanting to take up the valuable commercial opportunities this space will offer.

Significant retail accommodation should be provided but not of a scale which would compromise the viability of the existing retailing on Central Avenue and the other shopping parades in West Bridgford. It could attract a medium-sized food store of around of 30,000 to 35,000sq ft operated by a premium brand such as Waitrose, which would provide an anchor tenant and create a wider range of shopping than is currently available south of the river.

With the site's obvious long sporting heritage, the redevelopment should provide opportunities for the wider leisure sector.

The site is capable of incorporating a substantial water feature linked either to the river or to Grantham Canal. Whether it would be a commercial marina remains to be seen.

The scheme has the potential to attract a major casino but that is always going to be controversial, particularly in the light of Government indecision as to the future of table gaming in the UK. A safer option would be a range of caf??s, bars and bistros overlooking the river and landscaped piazzas and an urban park linking the towers and the other elements of the scheme.

The City Ground redevelopment will provide Nottingham with a hugely exciting and profitable development opportunity. It will attract major investment and create large scale employment opportunities. Its commercial success is beyond doubt.

Any problems? Yes, there will be very many. Through from access, transport, infrastructure, planning, design, site assembly, wildlife habitats etc .... the list will be endless.

But they will all be resolved somehow and the demise of soccer at the City Ground will be celebrated with a new Trentside landmark that even Ol' Big 'Ead would be proud of!

Good news then really. It seems that the council are serious about getting the city ground moved to Clifton.
Soon then West Bridgford will be the Salford to Manchester but in Nottingham :)
I drove past the cricket ground today and there's not really much progress on it but the whole thing has been completely flattened.
The Italian Resturant on Central Avenue looks brilliant now. It has a big balcony on the side/front of it. "The Monkey Tree is also having an extensive refurbishment and the whole facade is being upgraded aswell as the inside. The owners of Soutbank Bar have bought it.
The road works in West Bridgford Town Centre are also under full swing with repaving being done and pedestrianising of the areas.
Does anyone remember what the main shopping street was like before it was re-done? There was a massive road running through the middle of it. The town centre has changed so much in the past 10 years.

Dan, you should register with www.emporis.com
You have to contribute regular photos which you obviously do. It'll make people who don't look on this site realise the change Nottingham is going through at the moment.

http://www.nottingham2030.info/ < This is the website for Notts new visioning campaign. The council has introduced it after criticism that it has no long term plan for the city.

There have been views from big names in the EP since about friday, theres more in today. Get your comments in guys.

Looking at the Best and Wost Places To Live thread someone mentioned Newnottingham.com under the name Bobby.
Was that anyone here or someone that isn't part of these forums?

oh that was me lol...

:lol:

How many comments have you made on there? I could tell at least one of them was yours as it mentioned city boundaries.
Mine didn't get put up for some reason, and I didn't even swear on it.

I've just written another comment so lets hope this one makes it on there. I've put the name as Lambert.

lol haa. Its too late now.. its been finalised... we're the 4th worst place in the country.. which rushcliffe will be in the top 20? mad.

I was writing my message and saw lambert top of the list, and I thought it would be dan because of the Newnottingham plug! Nice one! I love the way that everyone's comments have the message: wtf are channel4 saying - Nottingham's nicer than a lot of places! Crazy.

My comment did make it onto the list :)

Asda want to set up in Bulwell...

Asda have informed Planning Services that they have for a long time aspired to have a retail interest in Bulwell Town Centre. To this end they have secured the former New Crown Motors premises on the corner of Hucknall Lane and Jenner Street. They have indicated that they would wish, in the short to medium term to acquire neighbouring land with a view to carrying out a development. Asda have not approached the City Council to discuss their proposals and no planning application for planning permission has been submitted.

Hi to all you guys on the nottingham threads. Just wanted to say hi. Living in Leicester but born and bred in Nottingham so proud of my roots. great to see the development that is going on there. Finally sounds like Broadmarsh will get started. Hopefully some of the others in the pipeline like eastside will finally start. I do misss being there even if its only 30 miles but try and get back for the football and the cricket. trent bridge are selling tickets for the new stand for next years test. £45.

Will try and contribute when I can but keep up the good work of promoting Nottingham

Welcome jaybob. Glad to see more new members signing up.

I'm really not a cricket man, I might go down just to see the quality of the new stand though lol.

Cheers danz013. Have been following the forum for about 4 months. firstly because I was interested in the Burj Dubai and then discovered the EM forum. Exciting times for both cities.

Brilliant to see a new forumer! Hello and welcome! Although the Nottingham threads are dead today!

Welcome Jaybob.

I see Nottingham was again, unfairly put in the worst places to live catagory this year by channel 4, yet Rushcliffe made it into the top 20 and came 14th.
Did anyone see the Rushcliffe report? I missed it unfortunately as I didn't expect it to be in there. What did they say about the place?

Stef.. if you promote the fact that rushcliffe was voted 14th best place, that means you support the results of the survey... and if you support the results of the survey... that means you support notts in 4th place lol!!

I watched it. They did much better this year, the were much more polite. The only thing that they said anything bad about was the crime rate. They did talk about how our "vibrant city has much more cultural activities than many of the other big cities".

They read out my comment lol... said my full name and allsorts... I said "Best City in the World in my own opinion lol". haa.

By promoting Rushcliffe doesn't mean I agree with Nottingham being in 4th place. I consider myself to be part of Nottingham not Rushcliffe. To me Rushcliffe, Gedgling, Ashfield and Nottingham City are all one thing as there all connected in terms of urban sprawl.
West Bridgford to me is a suburb of Nottingham not Rushcliffe. If anything Im showing that Nottingham has nice places to live. It's just most people aren't aware of the boundary problems that Nottingham suffers from.
I tell you what though, I'd love to get that posh snob from the programme to come and live in Nottingham. I bet that'd change her opinion on the place.
As I said in the other thread in the city talk forum, I'd much rather live in Nottingham than most of the places that featured on the 20 best section simply because there is more going on here.
If I lived in some of the places, especially in Surrey I'd go bloody insane :lol:

Why has it been so dead over the past few days on here?

.
Did anyone see the Rushcliffe report? I missed it unfortunately as I didn't expect it to be in there. What did they say about the place?

It appears that what made Rushcliffe appear so high was the borough's record on recycling and environmental issues (I belive we are literally the top borough in the country for therecycling rate). "Almost every household has three bins", said Phil.

I don't know about you, but whilst this is all "a good thing" I am not sure it is terribly relevant in making this a great place to live. My quality of daily life is not really affected by the amount of bins I have, except on a Monday night when I realise it's dustbin day tomorrow and I haven't put the bin out and I am am struggling in the orangey street light to work out which one is the brown one and which one is the grey one...

Other things they mentioned - average income, good; crime, bad for a Top 20 authority. And, "there's not much to do", apparently, except lots of bowling greens. This category seemed to cover things like theatre, cinema, and shopping, so I guess we were under-represented, but it seems an odd thing to say in a borough where you can watch Test cricket and league football - even the FA Cup Final* again at the end of the season!

Plus, of course, what such a "borough-by-borough" survey inevitably misses out on is the proximity to other areas, and access to their facilities. Having the shops, nightlife, arts and culture of Notitngham literally a ten minute bus ride away makes no impact on their statistics, but actually hugely impacts on my quality of life. (If you dug up Rushcliffe and transplanted it somewhere east of Grantham, I wouldn't want to live there at all...). So, of course, being so close to Nottingham City (which the programme pointed out as a problem), is actually what makes living in Rushcliffe a pleasure.

(*OK - it's the women's FA Cup Final, but even so...)

Whats going on at the QMC it seems like there putting a big addition to it, its nearly finished by the look of it. Anyone know how much it was worth? The cladding is pretty awful however!