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School in bid for survival.....



"Published on Thursday 30 October 2003 13:44

A DARLEY DALE school threatened with closure could be thrown a financial lifeline if a housing development scheme in the grounds gets the go-ahead.

St Elphin's School, which has been in administration since April, has submitted an outline planning application to Derbyshire Dales District Council to build high quality and affordable houses.

The application is for development at the front of the site alongside the A6, but a sports pitch and tennis courts would have to be axed to make way for the houses.

Joint administrator Robert Smailes, partner at Rothman Pantall and Co, said: "We have reached a critical juncture for the school with the submission of the planning application, and redevelopment of part of the site is the only way forward for the school if closure is to be avoided."

Dr Deborah Mouat, school principal, said: "Our long term future now hinges on our ability to invest new funds into the school through a planning application for partial redevelopment."

The application includes provision for five hard-surfaced outdoor tennis courts, a sports building incorporating four indoor tennis courts, a multi-use games area, hockey pitch, and more grass pitches.

Dr Mouat added: "The school's facilities are regularly used by sports clubs and community organisations. These new plans will mean much better facilities and significantly increased access to them for local people."

But Darley Dale Mayor John Evans said: "It's a shame to use up the existing playing fields along the A6 for residential development because it would be sad to see the green fields built on.

"It would be better to build up at the back near Old Hackney Lane, but I suppose they must have their reasons for wanting to build along the A6.

"I have great sympathy with their financial predicament and I suppose this would be a way out."

School chiefs want to discuss the proposals with residents and they will be holding an exhibition to display the plans in the near future.

The top-200 school attracts pupils from across the world but is still firmly rooted in the Matlock area, with most of the 75 employees living locally and three quarters of the pupils coming from the surrounding area.

Sarah Pugh-Lewis, a parent-teacher member of the school's steering committee, said: "These plans will bring substantial benefits to the school and local community.

"The alternative does not bear thinking about; the closure of a highly regarded academic institution after 100 years, loss of 75 jobs and spending with local businesses.

"Closure is also bound to lead to lack of management of the school's premises and dereliction."

By Will Kilner"

 

Reprinted by kind permission of Matlock Mercury

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