“On the old bus station, this was actually recognised by an international organisation for Art Deco as a fine example of Art Deco architecture and well worth visiting Derby to see it. Designes by Charles Aslin, this was the first bus statione ever built in the UK - another Derby first! The station had reached a level of neglect that made us all sick of the place, me included, and we ere promised a new bigger bus station with modern amenities - er? Well where is this bigger bus station, the old one handled a thousand buses per day during the 1970s (official Derby Corporation figures) and the number nearly doubled when the bus park opened. The new bus "terminal" as it is officially called, is designed to handle 28 buses at a time and it uses a design that has been rejected by all of the major bus companies - cities like Leicester and Nottingham bus terminals have similar layouts and are used by local services. Why do you think the Council invested in all the new bus shelters on the Morledge at £11000 each? These are permanent stops and all the buses that use these will continue to do so.
I cannot see any of the millions of Art Deco fans from around the world coming here to see Riverlights, in fact it has zero tourist appeal.”

“Christopher- I do hope your well informed comments have some impact!”

“When I was a 12 year old child I used to get excited about the plans that were being drawn up for Derby at that time (I'm talking about the late 1960s) with high rise service flats (now called apartments) office blocks and all new and shiny glass and steel towers. I would expect any kid with a lego set to get enthusiastic about designs like Riverlights that could easily have come out of a Lego box, as did as a child. As I grew up I realised that our heritage is more important than the insane ideas being put forward by the architects of the period.
It is now recognised world wide that our hertage has great importance, according to the secretary of state and English Heritage, our historic sites and buildings give each village, city and town its unique identity and the preservation of these sites and buildings helps us to retain our National identity and are a permanent reminder of where we came from, our home, and are vital to the ongoing education of future generations. It is NOT about nostalgia and old Ford Cortinas it is more to do with education and national identity and pride. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Has designated 24 sites in the UK and several thousand world wide that represent significan periods in a country's development, Derby has the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site. The river frontage in Derby, must by international law, abide by guidelines set out by UNESCO.
My comments about Derby being a dull uninteresting town are what I see Derby becoming unless we stop the destruction that has been taking place for more than 50 years which has cost us whole swathes of vital components that made up the city's unique identity only to be replaced by uniformly boring grey metal clad boxes and glass towers.
I am not saying NO to any development I am saying that the developments are in the wrong place and that the historic heart of our city should be retained, the new offices and flats should be built outside the centre.”

“Mark, just to put the record straight- it's not just the older generation who value the history of their towns and cities.
Also -we might be a lot younger than you think!!!
I believe "regeneration" has to fit in with protecting Derby's precious heritage, which unlike modern buildings, is irreplacable.”

“I totally agree with Mark, the city is buzzing at night and aside from a very rare few incidents, Derby is also a very safe place to visit if compared to the majority of other cities in the UK.
This riverlights scheme looks a lot better than an empty space and with the lack of funding in the economy it would be too expensive to restore this area to something like the Roundhouse.
Also agreeing with the Cortina arguement, things change and i would rather look at a new and modern building than something really ugly like the Assembly Rooms, Old Full Stree police station, Duckworth Square.... etc.
This development will also bring jobs in the city, and judging by the other news today its welcome.”

“regardless of wether or not you like the modern approach to achitecture surely you can all accept that in building fashions change and things move on. Just like with everything else
At the time Im sure there were pople moaning about art deco being ugly and extravagent, just like you are commenting now. Personally I think the plans shown look good. The materials used are used because they are cheaper, energy efficient, easier to maintain and (can) look good etc - our predecessors did not have these developments in building technology
We cannot never develop certain areas of the city (not town) because they already have buildings of a certain age, and if we try to replicate that look then the city will end up looking like a theme park with false frontages and 'fake' looking buildings.
Love or hate them (and personally I hate Quad and do not see the point of the swing bridge) recent buildings in Derby have all been nominated for presigious architecture, building or engineering awards - Quad, swing bridge, roundhouse etc. We are lucky that such developments are happening and putting derby back on the (modern) architecture map.
A mixture of achitectural styles is needed and is what makes places look interesting. I feel Derby has this about right.
Remember the old saying - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

“I have fond memories of the ford cortina and the vauxhall cavalier. But guess what, if I had one today it would be outdated, inefficient and too costly to keep running. Much the same as our old buildings, get over it we have to move with the times and the demands of the generations coming through. As for the city being full of bancrupt bars, I suggest you tear yourselves away from strictly come dancing on a Saturday night and check the vibrant city centre out for yourselfs most the bars (which add a lot to our econemy) are full. The older generations will never accept modern change, I expect i'll be no different. What I can get away with saying for the moment is... It's a building, get over it!”

“Frank Innes,
Just becuse I have no wish to shop in place that looks like it has been built out of lego does not mean I want to move from my victorian terrace with most of the original features, I dislike what has happened to my home town centre, the loss of beautiful buildings and to watch lego type monstrosities going up is not something I want to watch and so prefer to shop elsewhere.”

“I agree 100% with Christopher's comments.
It is not "anti Derby" to critisize some of these ugly buildings; just a plea to design architecture that is in keeping with the city's historic character;
(and aesthetically pleasing.)
Many other towns and cities manage to combine old with new buildings that are complimentary.
hy can't Derby be "regenerated"
without decimating its historic character?(eg look at where the new hotel has been placed in a conservation area.)
Do the planners not realise that visitors will not be attracted to casinos, bars and shopping malls, regardless of their appearance and function?(which can be found in most cities anywhere.)
We moved to the outskirts of Derby 20 years ago.
What made it appealing was its traditional feel, unique historic character, wonderful theatre, and the lovely Cathedral Quarter and shops there, like Bennetts and the music shop/ outdoor cafes.
I absoloutely hate the appearance of Westfields externally, especially the grey box on top.
As for Jury's Inn, so close to the Cathedral and places like the Silk Mill- well what can one say about whoever planned that location!!
Why couldn't some of these
grey concret and glass large structures have been placed on the outskirts- like Pride Park?
The historic centre of the city should be preserved!
As for the bus station- modernization is OK- but the old one could have be revamped surely- a bit like the Roundhouse has been? It was a prime example of Art Deco architecture- now defunct.
There are a few good things happening in the city with regard to heritage- but I think being far out swamped by these kind of buildings.
Should Derby have the appearance of being concreted over?
Surely it is a question of balance of old and new, whilst preserving Derby's historic heart for future generations.”

“anon, Derby - 'the majority' of people in Derby? Or half a dozen who have posted on a website? Which is not a representative sample.”