Plans for former police and fire station approved

LISTED BUILDING WILL BE TURNED INTO STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

- By JOE LOCKER Local democracy reporter

FUTURE students in Nottingham could soon get the chance to live in a historic former police and fire station after plans to transform the 1930s building were approved.

The old police headquarters and central fire station, fronting Shakespeare Street in the city centre, will be converted into student accommodation under the green-lit plan.

It will be complemented by a new, 18-storey tower block and a public food hall.

Initial plans were scrapped after the building was given Grade-II listed protected status in 2023 - a matter of days before they were expected to be approved by city councillors.

An appeal against the listing failed, sending the developers back to the drawing board.

New plans to retain the police headquarters and central fire station emerged in September this year, and they were unanimously approved at a planning meeting on Wednesday.

Councillor Sam Harris (Lab) said: “This is exactly what we need from purpose-built student accommodation. The location is fantastic. It is utilising a heritage site.