Forty affordable homes planned for Lady Manners School, Bakewell

If approved, the houses would form part of a wider project which would see the remaining sports facilities at the school be improved.

Lady Manners School, Bakewell Mannerians Rugby Club, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Westleigh Developments, Pelham Architects, Dales Housing and other partners have been working together on the project.

Ahead of a formal planning application, people will get the chance to view the proposals at Lady Manners School on Monday, June 30, in the Sixth Form Centre between 4.30pm and 8pm.

An all–weather sports pitch and pavilion opposite the main school buildings off Shutts Lane have been proposed, together with new grassed sports pitches at the rear of the school backing onto Monyash Road. These would be used by the school and rugby club.

Other proposals include additional car parking and new storage facilities.

Head teacher Duncan Meikle said: “At Lady Manners School we have been aware of the need to improve sports facilities for our students for a long time. We also know that the wider community as a whole has been struggling to gain the facilities that it deserves and needs.

“This unique opportunity is being made possible with the support of a wide range of people, and we are grateful for that encouragement. If it is all able to go ahead, then the benefits will be enormous.”

The 40 new affordable homes are planned for another part of the school’s land that is currently a poor quality sports pitch, set to be replaced elsewhere on site.

A council local housing need survey carried out in 2009 identified 89 households in need of affordable housing in Bakewell and the Lady Manners site has been identified following extensive site appraisal work undertaken with Bakewell Town Council and planning experts from the Peak District National Park Authority.

A council spokesman said: “The proposed new homes are a mix of houses, flats and bungalows for affordable rent and shared ownership and will be owned and managed by Dales Housing. We are urging local people to drop by and view the plans on June 30, ask any questions and share their opinions with the team responsible for delivering this exciting new project.”

Representatives from the school, council, Westleigh Developments, Pelham Architects, Harris Lamb Planning Consultancy and Dales Housing will attend the meeting.