Derby Conference Centre
THE Derby Conference Centre run by Catalis Rail Training in the city’s London Road is under threat of closure following a planning application for housing development by the site’s owner.
The proposal to build 84 homes in the grounds of the 70-year-old Grade 2 listed building by freehold owner Boxgrove Corporation N.V., c/o Arab Investments could lead to its closure as a training centre with a loss of 200 jobs and revenue to the local authority claimed to exceed £1.2 million.
Originally built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway in 1938 as its Railway School of Transport, the Art Deco-style Conference Centre has built up a national and international reputation as a leading rail training centre over the past 70 years.
Through its consultant Bowyer Planning, the Boxgrove Corporation is seeking to demolish all of Catalis’ on-site training facilities, along with two stand-alone buildings, which house additional facilities, forcing relocation of Catalis Ltd and other RTC Group members.
Believing the proposal to contravene policies set out in the City of Derby Local Plan, Catalis managing director Andrew Bailey claims that the site is unsuitable for housing development because of its close proximity to a meat factory and a bus depot and has resticted and difficult access.
He has written to stakeholders , businesses and residents encouraging them to register objections to the proposals with the planning officer of Derby City Council.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Unfortunately, Derby has a poor record, it already has allowed the Art Deco bus station to be demolished, and is pursuing demolition of further bits of the city centre, in order to complete its 1960s style Inner Ring Road.
Charley Ashbury, Manchester
I agree with Mr Elliott above, what a farce. How can Derby City Council let this happen? Ludicrous I say.
Jim, London
I sincerely hope this does not go ahead. I have attended courses and talks in this building myself in the past. It provides a very fine set of training facilities for the UK rail industry. With the projected expansion of the UK rail network, we will need to train up many new people (new to the rail industry) for the design, contruction and maintenance and the expanding rail network. As an industry we need all the training providers and the specialist training site facilities the have.
Were this Catalis site to be lost, we lose a training school of great historical importance and we would lose a facility which is needed for the training of future generation of railway people.
I also agree with the article in that the site is in an industrial part of Derby and really isn't suited for residential development.
Mark Churchill, Southport, Merseyside
I think this is an outrageous decision.
Where is Alli Bells supposed to do his IST now??
Horrific news for the fresh blood of the rail industry!
Elliott, Croydon, England