Broadmarsh centre demolition in limbo amid £20m grant wait

Work to complete the demolition of a former shopping centre in Nottingham hangs in the balance amid a wait on a £20m government grant.

Nottingham City Council has bid for the cash to knock down the rest of the Broadmarsh site and fit out the new Central Library close by.

Redevelopment stopped last year when owner Intu, which was planning a new complex, fell into administration.

Finding out what happens next could take longer than first thought.

Intu handed the site back to the council, which set up an advisory group and asked the public for ideas on how the land should be developed.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) says the authority has already secured funding to demolish the western end of the site near to Maid Marian Way.

But it has also bid for £20m of government cash to demolish the rest of the site.

It says flattening the decaying shopping centre is a key part of the vision to attract developers and build "a mixed use" scheme on the site.

David Mellen, leader of the council, said in August a decision on whether the bid was successful would be made in October.

But on Monday, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Committees said the decision would be made "before the end of the year".

Mr Mellen had said in the summer: "That site is not going to be easy to develop while there is a half-demolished shopping centre there and we need to clear it so it can be a space.

"It is the size of Wembley Stadium. It is a big space, and no one wanted Intu to go into administration, but it has given the council another chance to look at [it]."

The council said if the bid to government was unsuccessful, it would look for other funding avenues to ensure the site was demolished.

Mr Mellen added: "Like many councils up and down the UK we are awaiting the outcome of our bids for Levelling Up Funding - the timing for that is entirely a matter for the government.

"The important thing is that demolition is under way on site, and that we have put what we believe to be a strong bid together for funding.

"This will allow us to prepare the site for exciting new proposals which will be coming forward soon."

Councillor Kevin Clarke, leader of Nottingham Independents, questioned from where such funding would come.

He said: "I think they will get the funding, especially when the government find out what it is for - whether it is the full amount is questionable."

Urban designer Thomas Heatherwick and property development firm Stories are currently coming up with a plan that appeals to investors, which should be unveiled in the coming weeks.

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