en.Wedoany.com Reported - The owner of the UK's Derbion shopping centre has secured two planning permissions to build 1,152 homes and approximately 3,500 square metres of commercial space on two underutilised sites in Derby city centre.
The Derbion masterplan covers two projects: the former Eagle Market site (now known as Eagle Quarter) and the Bradshaw Way retail park. It will introduce new homes, public spaces, and commercial uses at key city centre locations, while improving connectivity. The planning process was led by Lichfields, a national planning and development consultancy that has advised on the site since 2014. Due to the city centre location, proximity to listed buildings, and the need to coordinate with the landscape of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the project team conducted detailed assessments.
The Eagle Quarter project received outline planning permission in June 2026. It will redevelop the former Eagle Market site with buildings up to 19 storeys, providing 674 homes, new commercial space, and a large public square. The scheme also includes creating a new entrance for the retained Derby Theatre and improving connections to the River Derwent. The planned "Green Heart" is a new landscaped space linked to Derbion, Derby Theatre, and Morledge via a green avenue. The site will feature new pedestrian streets, ground-floor dining, leisure, and city centre functions, with a landmark building at the eastern corner.
The Bradshaw Way project, approved in October 2025, will replace the existing retail park dominated by low-rise retail units and surface car parking with buildings up to 14 storeys, including 478 homes and ground-floor commercial units. The project team includes Leonard Design Architects, Eurofund Group, Currie & Brown, Bidwells, and Waterman.
Alison Bembenek, Associate Director at Lichfields, said these approvals mark significant progress in the regeneration of the city centre around Derbion. She noted that the scheme required balancing heritage, townscape, design, viability, and public interest factors. The team worked closely with Derby City Council and Historic England to clarify the planning pathway. She believes these permissions demonstrate how a coordinated planning strategy can support new homes, commercial space, and public realm improvements. The development will bring new footfall and revitalisation to the centre of Derby while respecting the city's historic context.
The project builds on the Eastern Gateway scheme approved in May 2024, which serves as the first phase of Eagle Quarter. Supported by the Future High Streets Fund, it delivers public realm improvements on East Street and Morledge, and has already enabled the temporary reuse of the former market hall, adding padel tennis courts and a skate park to attract visitors.
Alberto Esguevillas, UK CEO of Eurofund Group, which acts as development manager, said the Derbion masterplan aims to improve land use efficiency in key areas of Derby city centre. Eagle Quarter and Bradshaw Way will introduce new homes, public spaces, and commercial uses in locations that support the city centre's long-term growth. He acknowledged that Lichfields played a central role in guiding the planning strategy and helping the project respond to Derby's heritage and growth needs.
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