Debenhams building plans approved

The transformation of Hull’s former Debenhams building has been approved by Hull City Council. On December 3, the council’s planning committee discussed two applications related to the vacant city centre site.

After having been shut for almost half a decade, the mammoth 180,000 sq ft site that dominates much of the city centre is set to be redeveloped into 178 apartments. Under revised plans, a number of ground floor retail units will be kept along Ferensway and Brock Street.

Since closing, the site, which was once a shoppers’ favorite in the city, has sat vacant and has, over the years, has begun to look increasingly run down. Much of the Debenhams signage remains on the building to this day.

The committee discussed two separate, but connected, applications, both relating to the site. The first was for physical changes to the building including the installation of an atrium and the replacement of the existing windows.

Susan Chan, the planning agent for the application spoke at the committee meeting. She told councillors: “The proposal presents an opportunity to not only repurpose the use of the building, but to also regenerate the entire building which is still dominated by the old Debenhams corporate image.”

This first application was unanimously approved by committee members despite a concern being raised by Cllr Daren Hale. A letter from the ward councillor was read aloud during the meeting. Cllr Hale’s letter explained that the local ward councillors’ only remaining concern pertains to parking. He asked for arrangements to be made with Pryme Street multi-storey car park.

The second item discussed was a prior approval application for the building’s use as 178 apartments. This was also unanimously approved by councillors, with Cllr Garreth Byrne stating: “It’s an absolutely fantastic development.”

After the meeting the developer, DBG Group, contacted the LDRS to confirm that work on the site is due to start early next year. DBG Group are also the developer behind the City Point development in what was formerly known as Shirethorn House.