"Published on Wednesday 23 August 2006 15:25 DEVELOPERS behind the controversial regeneration of a former school have been accused of trying to take a "back door route" to building on protected land. Councillors and members of the public have criticised proposals to build a car park near to Grove Lane, Darley Dale, as part of plans to transform St Elphin's into a retirement village complex. At a heated Darley Dale Town Council meeting last week, developers Raven Audley Court's managing director, Nick Sanderson, was asked why the car park was planned, when he himself admitted it probably wouldn't be used. Cllr Dave Shimwell also criticised the expanding scope of Raven Audley Court's designs and the encroachment outside the existing buildings' footprint or ropeline. He said: "You are 50 per cent over on your original estimate and people are justifiably concerned about that." Mr Sanderson said: "The scheme started off inside the ropeline but it's not about numbers it's about coming up with a better quality design. "You can expect that we will take tonight very seriously and do what we can to allay your fears." It was agreed that a further meeting be arranged between Darley Dale Town Council and Raven Audley Court to settle on a design agreeable to both parties." Story by Richard Woolley
Reprinted by kind permission of Matlock Mercury |
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