District heat network upgrade at Station Street, Nottingham

What was proposed

The application sought to relocate and upgrade district heat network infrastructure, add pipework and cabling, and build a gantry and canal services bridge.

“Proposal: Full planning permission for the relocation of a section of the existing district heat network steam main and electrical cabling, installation of additional district heating pipework and electrical cabling, the construction of associated pipe gantry, new services bridge across the Nottingham-Beeston Canal and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site covers three parcels east and west of London Road, including railway, canal and industrial surroundings, with part inside the Station Conservation Area.

“The Western Parcel is bounded by Station Road to the north with the Leonardo Hotel and Waterfront House (offices) on the opposite side of the road. London Road (railway bridge) lies to the east, while Nottingham Railway Station is to the west. Recently constructed student accommodation (“The Place”) is located to the south, with Queens Road beyond.”

“Part of the site (Western Parcel) lies within the Station Conservation Area, and there are several nearby listed buildings, including Nottingham Railway Station (Grade II*), London Road Railway Station (Grade II), and structures associated with the Nottingham Canal (Grade II).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal supported the heat network, increased capacity and resilience, and delivered wider regeneration and sustainability benefits.

“The Nottingham District Heat Network (DHN) represents a strategically important energy asset, serving approximately 5,000 homes and numerous commercial premises, and forming a key component of the City Council’s approach to reducing carbon emissions and supporting the transition to low-carbon heating.”

“The proposed development would not only safeguard the existing operation of the DHN but would also increase its capacity and resilience through the inclusion of additional pipework. This would enable future expansion of the network in line with both local policy and national ambitions to significantly increase the proportion of…”

Officer report

The heritage impact

Officers found less-than-substantial harm to heritage assets, including a significant loss of the view of St Mary’s Church, but considered public benefits greater.

“Given the level of identified harm to these heritage assets, the applicant has provided an assessment of alternative options for the siting and design for the Westen Parcel of the proposed pipework, two of which would retain views of St Mary’s Church. However, the applicant advises that none of these are realistic or deliverable alternatives.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Civic Society objected over the protected church view, while highways, drainage, environmental health and archaeology officers raised no objections.

“One objection received raising the following concerns: Nottingham Civic Society objects to the proposed relocation of the district heating gantry as it would obstruct a protected Key View of St Mary’s Church, harming the character of the Station Conservation Area. While supporting sustainable infrastructure, NCS argues the route should remain on its current alignment to preserve this important view.”

“Conservation Officer - The Conservation Officer considers that the proposed elevated pipework and gantry would cause medium harm to an important glimpse view of St Mary’s Church from London Road. The structure would sit within the foreground of the view, reducing its visual quality and further cluttering an already constrained corridor. This would diminish a valued visual connection between the Trent Valley floodplain, St Mary’s Church, and the historic city skyline.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A senior planning officer presented the proposal, showing the site, existing church view and computer-generated images of the proposed view.

The committee’s vote

The committee resolved to grant planning permission, subject to the report’s conditions and an Environment Agency flood condition.

“(1) To grant planning permission for the reasons set out in the report, subject to:”

“(b) The condition set out by the Environment Agency in the Update sheet: That the development shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted diagrams (Ref: PAN-FEA-S1-XX-DS-A-0130, prepared by Franklin Ellis Architects and dated 29/06/2025) and the Flood Risk Assessment (Ref: 256432-BWB-ZZ-XX-T-W 0002_FRA, prepared by BWB Consulting and dated 10/03/2026), including the mitigation measures contained therein.”

Minutes