Plans for 250 homes on old Mackworth college site are proposed
PLANS are being drawn up for another 250 homes to be built on a former college site in a Derby suburb.
Derby College has already sold off part of the previous Mackworth College campus for 222 homes and it is now proposing to sell off the rest of the site.
The existing sports hall, Astro turf and grass sports pitches, which are used by college students and the local community, are unaffected by the proposals.
Five acres of the site, off Prince Charles Avenue, have already been given planning permission for a health centre and leisure facilities, such as a children's play area.
Paul Pegg, Mackworth Estate Community Association chairman, welcomed the planned use for the site but warned that not everyone might be in agreement.
He said: "This is essentially green wedge but it can't be used or accessed by the public, so it may as well be for much-needed new homes.
"I think the development will bring benefits to Mackworth but I expect some residents will disagree."
Derby College principal David Croll said: "We are keen to find out what else residents want on the site such as doctors' surgeries or a small amount of retail provision.
"We want to sell the remaining unused land so we can reinvest in existing and new resources."
Derby College will hold a consultation exhibition next Tuesday at the Diocesan Centre in Mornington Crescent, between 2pm and 8pm, when outline plans for the 28 acres can be viewed.
College representatives will be available and visitors will be asked to complete questionnaires about what they may want included in the redevelopment.
If the public response is positive, the college will submit a planning application and, if approved, the site will be marketed for sale.
The proceeds will be earmarked for reinvestment in further education, including a planned £3.5 million construction academy in Pride Park.
The first 15.7 acres of land was sold to Persimmon Homes in December 2010 and construction is under way on the homes.
2 Comments
by janine2011
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 11:08AM
“At least the houses built here in Derby will generate income for Derby in council tax, unlike other areas where planning permission is being sought for houses. The income from those homes will generate it for the council in one town while the costs for education and health care will be bourne by Derby City. One has to balance the other, it is wrong for any council to reap the benefits while passing the costs onto another council. The Chellaston saga springs to mind here.”
by JediMaster82
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 7:34AM
“There doesn't need to be any major retail provision on site, however Mackworth might benefit from some re-design of the area around the shops on Prince Charles Avenue.... as it is near impossible to park/pass down there on a saturday morning as it is.... without potentially a few more hundred visitors living nearby deciding to head down there..... the retail balance needs to be between providing a service and not impacting on local businesses down there already.
I'd be interested to see what Paul Pegg deems the benefits of further development to be.”