The council has approved plans for the building to become 178 apartments
The developers behind the regeneration of Hull’s Debenhams building have responded to inaccurate comments made online. A number of people have mistakenly described the plans to bring the building back to life as a HMO.
On December 3, Hull City Council‘s planning committee approved plans for the former Debenhams building to become 178 apartments. The site, which has been empty since 2021, will also consist of a number of ground floor retail units long Ferensway and Brock Street.
The developer behind the plans, DBG Group, are also behind the recently completed ‘City Point’ development in the building formerly known as Shirethorn House. The developer has sought to clarity a number of points after seeing comments left online. They said:
- It is not a HMO building and will be a mixture of 1 and 2 bedroom flats with each unit having its own facilities within the apartment
- It is not just an average block of flats and will have an atrium garden area for residents to socialise in
- On the ground floor there is a mixture of residential units and commercial units, along with ample space for bike storage
In addition, Adam Drake, one of DBG’s Directors, has said: “We’ve been working in Hull for five years, creating a variety of opportunities across the city. Our goal is to continue working in Hull for the next five years.
“We’ve explored different buildings. If you look at the original planning portal, the site in question was actually slated for demolition and a complete redesign.
“We acquired it from receivership, worked with what was already there, and created an open-plan design that enhances the space without being detrimental. We’re collaborating closely with the council to maintain retail spaces and promote sustainable living.
“Our focus is on Hull – we’re creating jobs and supporting a diverse trade network that we’ve been developing for the past four to five years, and we plan to continue growing it. The Debenhams project is a larger scheme, which will generate even more jobs in the city centre and help stimulate economic activity there.
“We’re not a national builder. We’re local builders based in Doncaster, working throughout South Yorkshire and Humberside, and that’s our sole focus. We have no plans to expand beyond this region.”
Is Hull the best place to live in Yorkshire? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here .