Work Commences on Public Square at Becketwell Derby

DERBY, U.K. - Oct. 20, 2022 - PRLog -- Construction work is underway on a new multi-purpose public square which is being built as part of the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby.

Developers St James Securities were joined by representatives from Derby City Council, D2N2, main contractors GMI Construction Group and other key stakeholders at a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of building works on Springwell Square, which will be located on the site of the former Central United Reformed Church.

Springwell Square will be the centrepiece of the £200m Becketwell development and is being delivered as part of phase one of the scheme. It will be adjacent to The Condor, 259 one and two-bedroom Build to Rent (BTR) apartments, which are being built on the site of the former Debenhams store on Victoria Street and have been forward funded, acquired and will be operated by Grainger plc, the UK's largest listed provider of private rental homes.

It is envisaged that the square will be multi-purpose, but with a focus on interaction with adjoining buildings and as a place to pause and relax, rather than a formal civic meeting or gathering place.

Both the BTR apartments and Springwell Square are scheduled for completion by Spring 2023.

Commenting on the start of construction work on Springwell Square, Paul Morris, director of St James Securities, said:

"We're delighted to see construction work start on schedule on Springwell Square, the next stage of this landmark regeneration scheme for the City of Derby.

"Over the past five years, we have been real trailblazers, prepared to take on a site that has been challenged for many years and putting together a scheme which will breathe new life into the area.

"Springwell Square will open up land to the south and bring it back into use. It will be a place where people can meet and relax in an informal space and will improve the vibrancy and attraction of the city centre."

Cllr Steve Hassall, cabinet member for regeneration, decarbonisation, strategic planning and transport at Derby City Council, added:

"We can see with the work that has already taken place exactly how significant a development Becketwell is for our city centre, with a new public square at its heart. We secured the funding for this scheme with an aspiration to make Derby a vibrant place where people want to live, work, and visit. We are now seeing that aspiration become a reality.

"We look forward to the next stages of the development, which will bring economic and social benefit to Derby's residents and businesses. The performance venue will create hundreds of jobs, generate millions of pounds and kick-start further investment around the city centre."