BUS STATION

Controversial plans to demolish Derby Bus Station are to go ahead, despite hopes of a reprieve through the new political alliance. The 1930s landmark is likely to disappear next year to make way for the £83m Riverlights development, which will include a new bus station. In recent election manifestos, both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives backed opponents of the scheme. Last year, the Conservatives told voters that they would "retain the Art Deco bus station" and the Liberal Democrats said that they wanted "to keep the best of the current bus station".

So when the new alliance of Lib Dems, Tories and one Independent came to power, protesters hoped this would mean a reprieve for the station. But it has now been revealed that the new council will not block Riverlights, the latest plans for which are expected to be presented to the council in three weeks. Liberal Democrat Maurice Burgess, new council leader, said, "The developers have planning permission to demolish the bus station. We've no powers to stop them."

Conservative Philip Hickson, now deputy leader of the council, said in 2001 that the future of the bus station "has degenerated into a shambles". But Mr Hickson said, "The current bus station is no longer fit for the purpose. It doesn't cater for the safety and security of passengers - particularly lone women at night. Also there is poor access for disabled people. People waiting for a bus want to be dry and warm and have good lighting and security."

The Riverlights project has been plagued with controversy and delays since the council signed an exclusive deal with Nottingham-based developer MetroHolst in 1996. The latest scheme proposes a major development on the site, between the Morledge and the River Derwent, which would include the new bus station, 150 flats, an office block and a leisure complex with bars, restaurants, a nightclub and a casino. In 2002, the council established a cross-party working group to negotiate changes with the developer.

Richard Kemp, a director of MetroHolst, said, "We will submit a presentation to the cross-party working group on June 13 and then put in a planning application. The new application relates to other parts of the site, because we received permission to demolish the existing bus station in 1997. It's impossible to retain the existing bus station because that land forms part of the new concourse." After the new planning application is lodged, the council will embark on a major public consultation exercise.

The controversial redevelopment of Derby bus station has been given Government approval. The original idea was for a joint shopping centre and bus station, but developers found there was no demand for more shops in the area. A new scheme was then drawn up based around a multiplex cinema and hotel, but this idea was scrapped in 2002 when the UCI cinema chain pulled out. The latest plan features bars, nightclubs, restaurants and a casino, as well as 150 apartments and 150,000 sq ft of office space.

The centrepiece of the development will be a 29-bay airport-style bus and coach terminal to replace the existing Art Deco bus station, which has been fiercely defended by campaigners. Michael Foote, director of corporate services at the city council, said, "The development is nothing like what we initially envisaged, because commercial factors have driven away two detailed proposals, the retail base and the cinema. It's a very difficult site to develop because of the highways, parking requirements and the tying in of Westfield's development of the Eagle Centre."