HOUSING

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Large houses could be built in Derby to accommodate people from black and ethnic minority groups to alleviate overcrowding. But Derby City Council said the measure will not discriminate against people from other communities, because they too would be eligible for the houses. The measure is one of 24 priorities identified by the city council in its Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Strategy 2005-8, which aims to ensure these groups get fair housing services that are fit for their needs. The strategy will be implemented by the council and its partners, such as Derby Homes and other housing associations, the Central and Greater Derby Primary Care Trust and Derby Racial Equality Council.

Latest estimates show that more than one in eight of Derby's population is from a black or ethnic minority group. The strategy reveals that it aims to build the larger family houses, with three or more bedrooms, in areas with high ethnic minority levels and will incorporate design features sensitive to the cultural requirements of the communities, such as larger rooms. The council has identified the need for larger houses in the multi-racial communities because families tend to stay together longer, with younger generations and older generations living under one roof to look after each other. It also said ethnic minority groups are more likely to be living in unsuitable accommodation than white residents.

It is not known how much is being assigned to the project or how many houses will be built. Ian Fullager, the council's housing strategy and performance manager, said, "Part of the strategy is to ensure that some affordable housing is built to accommodate larger households from any background, but they may well be from black and ethnic minority households. We're not discriminating, we're building these bigger houses and they'll be provided to who has the biggest housing need."

Shahid Ashrif, equalities adviser for Derby Homes, which manages the council's housing stock, added, "This is an even-handed approach. It's about identifying the needs and seeing if we're meeting them. It's not about the colour of skin. We've adapted homes in the past to accommodate large white families." Councillor Philip Hickson, deputy council leader and cabinet member responsible for housing, said schemes such as demolishing Grove House, in Leonard Walk, Normanton, and replacing it with larger houses and the homes that will be built at the former Baseball Ground are all in line with the strategy. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

Members of Derby City Council's planning control committee voted to grant conditional planning permission for an application to build 476 homes on the University of Derby's campus in Mickleover, despite objections from people living in the area. An application to build 597 homes on the former Derby College site in Wilmorton was also agreed by councillors. The city council received 37 letters opposing the development, on the grounds that it would mean further loss of green space to Mickleover, it would put a strain on local facilities and cause further traffic problems. Residents were also concerned about an increase in noise and pollution. Councillor Chris Wynn, city council cabinet member for children's services, said, "I admire the design and layout of the development. I see no reason whatsoever to oppose this application, and in fact very much endorse it." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Feb/06)

Derby College is proposing to sell part of its Mackworth site to allow 160 homes to be built. Most of the college's courses would move to the city centre and the playing fields would become part of a centre of excellence for sport for students and the community. This would include a new sports hall, a gym and fitness suite, five football pitches, a rugby pitch and, possibly, a swimming pool. The art building would be converted for sports use.

Money from the sale of land at Mackworth, estimated to be about £5m, would be used towards establishing the Roundhouse as a city-centre campus. The £28m Roundhouse plan is being part-financed using £10m from the sale of the Pride Parkway campus and college officials are hoping the rest of the money will come from the East Midlands Development Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Learning and Skills Council. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)