Derby College Plans for the Development of Derbys Historic Roundhouse

After an extensive search and detailed review of a number of sites in Derby, Derby College have selected the Roundhouse site as having the capacity to meet the College’s requirements,

As well as being ideally situated geographically the site has presented both Derby City Council and Derby College with an opportunity to restore these derelict grade II* listed buildings into a sustainable use with considerable regeneration benefits for the area.

The location of the Roundhouse, combined with the excellent transport links connecting Derby with neighbouring towns and cities, means that quality education and training will be more accessible to those in Derby and further afield in the East Midlands. 

This will ultimately bring more skills to the city, which will play a key role in the economic growth of Derby, as well as enhancing the diversity and culture of its population.

How will the development of the site be funded?

A considerable proportion of the project is to be funded by the Learning and Skills Council, with the remainder being funded by other agencies including:

• the Heritage Lottery Fund (£4.38m),
• the East Midlands Development Agency (£3m)
• and the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (£1.5m),
• as well as the College’s own funds raised from the sale of its Pride Parkway site last year and the sale of some of the existing Prince Charles Avenue site in Mackworth. 
• The College was recently awarded further funding, £1.35 million, from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

What will the development involve?

The development will involve the restoration of the main Roundhouse building, which currently houses a central turntable used to move engines around when the Roundhouse was still in use for its original purpose of repairing steam engines, as well as the nearby newer buildings which will be developed as an annexe.  The College is now approaching the detailed design stage and will submit for planning in early November 2007, with plans to be on site and open to students in by January 2009.

What will be based at The Roundhouse?

The Roundhouse will be the new base for construction courses currently based at Masons Place on Nottingham Road and most courses at the College’s Prince Charles Avenue such as engineering, care, hair & beauty and art & design.  

As well as being the College’s flagship site, the Roundhouse will be opened as a visitor centre and social hub for people to meet and learn more about the City’s history in line with the Heritage Lottery Fund’s requirements.

During a public consultation in October, members of the public had the opportunity to view plans and ask questions about the College’s plans to develop The Roundhouse.  For further information and to read their comments log on to:

http://www.derby-college.ac.uk/index.php?page=modules/siteContent/display.php&pageID=265&moduleID=0