£15m housing development planned for former college site in Buxton

Persimmon Homes North West is seeking full planning permission to build 155 new residential properties on the 13-acre site bounded by Burlow Road and Trenchard Drive.

The Advertiser revealed back in March how the University of Derby had struck a deal to sell the derelict former campus site to Persimmon.

Speaking at the time, Hari Punchihewa, the university’s deputy chief executive and finance director, said: “The university has exchanged conditional contracts with a housing developer for its land at Harpur Hill in Buxton.

"The sale is subject to the developer receiving satisfactory planning approval from High Peak Borough Council in due course."

The proposed development, which is expected cost around £15.6m to build, would consist of 100 two-bedroom, 46 three-bedroom and nine four-bedroom homes, with 23 of the two-bedroom properties provided as starter homes.

Access to the site would predominantly be off Burlow Road, with a limited number off properties accessible off Trenchard Drive, state the plans, which also include an element of public open space and landscaping.

Documents submitted on behalf of the application state: "The development of the site will make a significant contribution to the housing land supply in High Peak and is expected to deliver a broad range of two to four bedroom properties to meet identified existing and future housing requirements.

"The scheme responds positively to its setting and context, providing an attractive front aspect onto Burlow Road and Trenchard Drive and will deliver a significant improvement to the appearance and quality of the local environment currently characterised by a vacant site.

"Existing ecological and biodiversity within the site will be retained and enhanced with new areas of public open space created.

"An equipped play area will provide social benefits to existing and new residents."

The site has been empty since the University of Derby relocated the Buxton College to the Devonshire Dome in 2006.

Members of the public can have their say during a consultation period which runs until August 16. Visit http://planning.highpeak.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet and search for application HPK/2018/0315.

The plans are expected to go before High Peak Borough Council's planning committee at a date yet to be set.