Trent Basin

Trent Bridge may have been the scene for many epic test match clashes, but it's the nearby Trent Basin that's providing a lasting future for many local families.

Our brownfield residential construction team delivered phase one of the ambitious waterside scheme, located on the north bank of the Trent opposite the Lady Bay nature reserve.

Master plan

The Trent Basin development will comprise 500 low energy homes and apartments designed around community spaces. The site’s waterside character is also reflected by tall canal-style houses. Blueprint chief executive Nick Ebbs:

“We aim to develop Trent Basin as a model of 21st century sustainable living where the guiding principles will be people, place and planet. This will be a new kind of community which will be part urban and part suburban; compact but not dense; a well-designed, neighbourly community not dominated by cars where people will be able to relax, breathe in the fresh air and walk, jog or cycle into the countryside or Nottingham city centre without worrying about speeding traffic.”

Trent Basin is a collaboration between Blueprint and Nottingham City Council to achieve a vision of regenerating 3.5Ha within the Nottingham Waterside regeneration zone into a new community located midway between the city centre and countryside.

New homes on the River Trent

It is unlocking regeneration of the entire Nottingham Waterside zone, a landholding underdeveloped over the last 20 years, and its delivery is a key aim of Nottingham City Council, which is working in partnership in Blueprint following its acquisition of a 50% stake in the developer.

Phases 1 & 2

Phase one provided 45 low-energy family homes when completed in spring 2016 (see pictures), with subsequent phases following over the next few years.

After completing phase one, we were appointed for phase two to build a further 31 homes, which will feature balconies and roof terraces, providing views across the river, to Lady Bay or a cityscape to the north. When complete in 2019, this second phase will comprise a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses along with 2 bedroom maisonettes, ranging from £195,000 up to £450,000.

Exceptional design

The architect at Trent Basin is Nottingham firm Marsh Grochowski, which has previously worked with Blueprint on low-energy housing schemes at Green Street and Hobart & Pitcairn in The Meadows. For Trent Basin, Marsh Grochowski has also worked closely with Manchester-based URBED, which has provided masterplanning for the entire Nottingham Waterside area.

Community focus

Willmott Dixon is making a difference through Nottingham City Councils ‘Young People in Construction’ programme to offer trainees experience on thesite. We intend to take 50 young people classed as NEET through a 12 week, 4 days per week construction traineeship programme. The first 4 weeks of the programme will be college based where the students will complete;

• Functional skills training
• Health and safety in a construction environment training
• CSCS training and test
• Employability skills training

After completing the first 4 weeks, students will get 8 weeks trade work experience with us. Each student will have a student allowance as a reward for meeting the terms and conditions of the programme. Students will be assessed for attitude, attendance; punctuality and completion of course work by the college.

Huge progress shaping Nottingham's future

Recently, Willmott Dixon's residential team completed a new residential scheme in St Ann's and the company is also building an extension to BioCity to attract more bioscience companies to Nottingham.