The site at 68 Bridgford Road, which has been empty since December 2022 and was previously Blue Camel is expected to be a new Nando’s restaurant.
According to documents on the council’s planning portal, Goodhand Acoustics Ltd has been commissioned by Nandos to undertake a noise assessment of the proposed rooftop plant to satisfy the landlord’s acoustic requirements at the West Bridgford site at
68 Bridgford Road.
Planning permission has been granted for a revised redevelopment of a prominent building on Bridgford Road in West Bridgford, bringing forward plans to return a long-vacant site to active use.
The approved scheme relates to 68 Bridgford Road, a detached Victorian property located on the corner of Park Avenue within West Bridgford’s main shopping area, close to the library and central car park.
The application sought consent for a revised version of a scheme previously approved in 2024. It allows for the demolition of an existing rear extension and the construction of new front and rear extensions, alongside wider internal and external alterations and the creation of an outdoor terrace area.
The updated plans include changes to the design and layout of the building, such as repositioning the main entrance onto Bridgford Road, alterations to the shopfront and roof design, and the addition of a rear staircase to provide access and escape routes.
The proposals also include adjustments to windows and servicing arrangements, as well as the installation of plant equipment linked to the future operation of the site.
Planning documents state that a long-term restaurant tenant has now been secured for the property, with the approved works intended to enable that occupation and bring the building back into sustained use after a period of vacancy.
The site sits within West Bridgford’s designated district centre and secondary retail frontage, where policies support a mix of uses to maintain the vitality of the high street. Previous permissions, including schemes approved in 2019 and 2024, have already established the principle of restaurant use at the site. The latest approval builds on that position with what planning documents describe as relatively minor amendments.
In practical terms, the development is expected to bring a currently underused building back into active use, with associated economic benefits. Planning submissions indicate the new occupier could create in the region of 30 to 35 jobs, alongside additional construction employment during the build phase. The scheme is also intended to contribute to footfall and activity within the town centre.
Consideration has been given to the impact on nearby residents, particularly in relation to noise, lighting and odour from the proposed restaurant use. These matters are expected to be controlled through planning conditions, consistent with earlier permissions for the site. The application is supported by a noise assessment which concludes that mitigation measures can ensure acceptable levels for neighbouring properties.
The site is located within Flood Zone 3, meaning it is at higher risk of flooding, but a flood risk assessment submitted with the application concludes the development would be safe for its lifetime and would not increase flood risk elsewhere.
Planning policy considerations also include the recently adopted Rushcliffe Design Code, which places emphasis on active frontages, high-quality shopfronts and maintaining the character of local centres. The revised scheme is described as aligning with these objectives by improving the building’s relationship with the street and enhancing its contribution to the surrounding area.
With permission now granted, the development can proceed subject to conditions, marking the latest step in a series of applications aimed at bringing the site back into long-term use within West Bridgford’s town centre.
