Image supplied by Dransfield Properties

This is a £39 million development on a historic industrial site at the edge of Gainsborough town centre. Britannia Works had been in industrial use since the 1850s, producing tractors, followed by munitions and subsequently falling into decline from the 1950s onwards. The development proposal was for a mixed use scheme comprising residential, non-food retail, offices, restaurants and cafes. The site, some of which is contaminated, had a strong industrial heritage character and comprised many listed buildings of a monolithic nature.

Services Provided
We negotiated with English Heritage to balance the conservation interests with the commercial needs of the client. There were compulsory purchase issues on land adjoining the site, which needed to be addressed. DPP submitted planning and listed building applications and presented evidence to the CPO inquiry, which was one of the first to be held under the new CPO written representations procedures.

Achievements
Permission was granted in January 2005 for a mix of new and retained development comprising a new council office, with retail and offices above. The front of the old Britannia Works was retained along with some of the other original buildings for shops, offices, workshops and housing.

The scheme, which is now open and trading, won an East Midlands Regeneration award. In December 2007 the scheme was also given a gold award by the British Council of Shopping Centres, who described it as “a shining example of regeneration.”