A derelict and dangerous former school site in a Derbyshire town is to be redeveloped as environmentally-friendly housing as part of a £24 million scheme to kick-start regeneration in the area.
The Clay Cross Junior School – which closed in 2009 – will be brought back to life as part of wider regeneration projects happening in the town of Clay Cross, a few miles south of Chesterfield.
The school will be demolished prior to the phased regeneration of the site after the town received £24.1 million from the Government’s Towns Fund.
The funding means a number of regeneration projects are now being considered, including improvements to Bridge Street – a main thoroughfare through the town straddled by shops, showrooms and industrial buildings – a new Clay Cross Skills and Enterprise Hub, as well as low carbon housing.
Improvements to Market Street, to create a new heart for the town centre, are also being considered along with a feasibility study into reopening a railway station in the town.
In all 10 projects have had working groups assigned to them to get the ball rolling.
Key parts of the junior school building, such as plaques and ornamental brick works, will be saved and reused to mark the historical significance of the school.
Coun Alan Powell, North East Derbyshire District Council cabinet member for housing, said: “The building has been closed for over a decade and has been the focus of anti-social behaviour.
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“Alternative uses of the building have been considered, including converting the existing structure into residential accommodation.
“However, this wasn’t viable due to the poor condition of building and it will now be replaced with excellent low carbon housing for the community, helping tackle Climate Change and regenerate the area”.
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for corporate services and budget, Coun Simon Spencer, said: “We’re pleased to be able to work with the district council so that much needed housing can be built in the town centre.
“The plans to regenerate Clay Cross are much welcomed, and by working together we can use the money from the Government to make a real difference to those who live and work in the town.”