Plans have been submitted to convert a vacant former nightclub near Ilkeston town centre into ten self-contained flats.
Jet Property Lettings Ltd is seeking permission to redevelop the building at 52 St Mary Street, which extends behind properties at 7–11 Bath Street.
The proposal would involve converting the existing building, carrying out some partial demolition and adding a small rear extension and new upper floor.
All ten apartments would have one bedroom, with six designed for one person and four for up to two people. The development could therefore accommodate up to 14 residents.
Plans also include two shared outdoor areas, a private balcony for one duplex apartment and secure cycle and bin storage.
No on-site car parking would be provided. The applicant describes it as a “town-centre car-free scheme”, pointing to nearby bus services and Ilkeston railway station.
Previous HMO plans refused
The building was previously the subject of plans for a 19-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation for up to 20 people.
That application was refused by Erewash Borough Council’s planning committee in May 2025 because of concerns about communal facilities, external amenity space and the living conditions proposed for residents.
The developer has now replaced the HMO proposal with ten individual flats, each containing its own kitchen, living and dining area.
According to the submitted plans, the apartments would range from 37 square metres to 59.5 square metres and would meet national space standards.
The applicant says the reduction from 20 to 14 residents, together with the redesigned layout and new outdoor areas, addresses the reasons the previous application was refused.
New floor and changes to frontage
Seven flats would be created across the existing ground and first floors, including one duplex apartment.
A new second floor, set within an enlarged roof and featuring dormer windows, would contain the remaining three flats.
Changes are also proposed to the St Mary Street frontage. Existing openings would largely be retained, while former doors and later alterations would be replaced with windows, glazing and brickwork designed to complement the building.
Privacy concerns were raised by a council officer during pre-application discussions, particularly in relation to two ground-floor flats facing St Mary Street and the rear amenity areas.
The applicant argues that street-facing ground-floor windows are already a feature of nearby homes. Partially obscured glazing is proposed for some rear windows to reduce overlooking.
Pre-application advice from the council described the ten-flat scheme as “generally acceptable” and considered the additional floor and changes to the frontage sympathetic to the building and wider street.
However, pre-application advice does not guarantee approval, and the proposal must still go through the full planning process.
Building has links to the Old Harrow Inn
The building is not listed but stands within the Ilkeston Conservation Area.
Historical research submitted with the application suggests it may date from the early 1800s, when it formed part of the Old Harrow Inn.
It is believed to have originally been an outbuilding or stable used to accommodate the carts and wagons of people visiting the inn. Surviving features include arched brick openings and evidence of former double doors.
The building was later used as a nightclub and more recently for storage. It has now been vacant for a number of years and is described in the application documents as being in a deteriorating condition.
The applicant’s heritage assessment argues that restoring the frontage and bringing the property back into use would improve the appearance of this part of the conservation area.
No affordable homes are included. The applicant says the development falls below the 15-home threshold in the council’s adopted housing policy.
The application has not yet been decided by Erewash Borough Council. Representations can be submitted to the council – application number: PA/2026/0368.