High Peak Borough Council have announced that they are delaying the decision on the enabling application for the University of Derby’s proposal to convert High Peak Halls into a large-scale asylum dispersal centre.

This comes after Robert Largan MP raised a number of technical challenges to the validity of the planning application.

The local MP has been leading the opposition to the University’s plans, which according to Derbyshire Constabulary, could put vulnerable people at risk.

The application was due to be heard on 1 August at 1:30pm after Conservative Councillors called the decision in, preventing it from being simply rubber stamped by the Labour Council.

It has now been delayed until 7 August to allow the Council more time to get legal advice.

Residents can still submit objections to the application here: https://tinyurl.com/buxtonadc

Robert Largan MP commented:

“This delay comes after I raised a number of technical challenges to the validity of the planning application. It appears to me that there have been a number of serious flaws in the planning application process. I hope that the Council will reconsider their decision to validate the application.

“I also hope that the Council holds this meeting in the evening rather than the afternoon, so that more local people are able to attend.

“I don’t just want to stop the University’s plans for an asylum dispersal centre. I want to see High Peak Halls used in a positive way to help local people.  I will be pushing for High Peak Halls to be converted into badly needed affordable homes for local people. This option might not be as lucrative for the University and it will need the Labour Council to step up. But it is the right way forward for the High Peak.”