Flood fears halt city centre plan

A major redevelopment in Derby city centre has been put on hold after flooding fears were raised.

The £30m scheme to turn Full Street police station and court into apartments and offices was expected to be approved by the city council.

But a last minute objection by the Environment Agency means it could be referred to the Secretary of State.

A plan for a hotel, restaurant, casino, bar and 89 apartments on the former BMW site on King Street was approved.

Further delays

Developer Wilson Bowden wants to build more than 100 apartments and 95,000 sq ft of office space on the Full Street site.

But the agency said the former magistrates' court was in a zone three flood-risk area, which means it is at risk once every 100 years.

Council leader Chris Williamson said: "If the objection had been made by a member of the public as late as that it would have be disregarded.

"But because it was from the Environment Agency it means that the matter now has to be referred to the Secretary of State.

"That had obviously built in another delay of about three months."