'More needs to be done' to protect city's heritage

Not enough is being done to protect Derby's historically-significant buildings, according to the Derby Civic Society.

The former maternity hospital off Osmaston Road was involved in a fire on Friday morning, just weeks after a blaze badly damaged the former Hippodrome site in May.

Ashley Waterhouse, chairman of the society, said Derby "is becoming a target for repeated and deliberate acts of destruction aimed at its architectural heritage" and owners need to be held accountable.

Derby City Council said it "actively engages" with the owners of the city's "most challenging sites" and it "shares the community's frustration".

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said four crews were required to deal with the blaze at the Grade II listed Gothic-style Melbourne House on Friday, with nearby roads cordoned off by police.

Structural engineers had also been called in to assess the 18th Century building's safety, the fire service said.

The incident was the second at the former hospital in 18 months following a fire started by a person who broke in to seek shelter, which badly damaged the rear portion of the building in January 2024.

In May, the last in a series of deliberate fires inside Derby's Hippodrome building in Green Lane led to a decision to partially demolish the site as it had become unsafe.

Mr Waterhouse said a "pattern" was emerging of "neglect, arson, and eventual demolition" at Derby's historic buildings.

He added: "It's an absolute disgrace to see yet another Grade II listed building on fire. I hope we don't see this building being demolished under safety measures.

"If a building is old, it's deemed easier and cheaper to pull it down than to protect or restore it.

"Sadly, this reflects a mindset that sees Derby less as a city of culture and history, and more as a playground for HMOs and property investment schemes.

"Derby City Council must act now."

He said building owners need to be held accountable for making sites secure or be fined, and the council and emergency services should "adopt a proactive rather than reactive approach".

He said: "Our city's history is not disposable. We cannot continue to mourn buildings lost."

Derby City Council said it is working with Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and Historic England to draw up a local register of at-risk buildings.

A Derby City Council spokesperson said: "Derby's heritage buildings are invaluable and we share the community's frustration when owners allow them to deteriorate.

"We actively engage with building owners to explore potential solutions to protect these sites and return them to sympathetic use."

The authority said it has a proven track record with sites like the Silk Mill, the Market Hall, Darley Abbey Mills, Friar Gate Goods Yard, Wilderslowe House and St James's Street.

The spokesperson added: "Ultimately, privately-owned buildings are the direct responsibility of their owners, who are legally obliged to maintain their safety and security.

"In urgent situations - for example when a building is severely damaged by fire - public safety must be our paramount concern, and we must take immediate action."

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.