"Published on Friday 19 October 2007 14:42 WORK has begun to transform the main building of a former school into the hub of a retirement community. The latest phase of the development at St Elphin's in Darley Dale will see the renovation of the main house, a former Victorian spa and later the main school building, which will form the centrepiece of the complex. It will accommodate seven apartments as well as a bar, restaurant, bistro, library, coffee lounge and a health centre with swimming pool. The terrace will be brought back into use with outdoor dining and the original oak staircase will be restored. Work is well underway on another part of the 14-acre site, the Hamlet, made up of cottages and apartments, all of which are due for completion and occupation early next spring. Aspects of the development include the use of green energy sources and recycling of materials reclaimed from demolished buildings on the site. The 19million development will see the creation of a retirement village on the site of the old school, located off the A6. Work is scheduled to last three years. Reprinted by kind permission of Matlock Mercury |
|