United Kingdom: The University of Derby has withdrawn its application to convert High Peak halls into a Large Scale Asylum. The Member of Parliament for the High Peak Constituency, Robert Largan, expressed his pleasure and said there are severe flaws in the planning application.
The Derby’s University Plan of Converting the High Peak Halls into a large-scale Asylum earlier has been raised in the Parliament. After facing several drawbacks, the Buxton Parliament recently decided to hold the plans.
Yesterday (Monday), August 7, 2023, following several technical challenges raised about the validity of the enabling application to convert High Peak Halls into a large-scale asylum dispersal centre, the University of Derby has WITHDRAWN their application.
On this, the Member of Parliament for the High Peak Constituency, Robert Largan, shared that this last-minute withdrawal, just hours before the planning committee meeting, is an extraordinary step.
He shared that there were several severe flaws in the planning application process. High Peak Borough Council should have never validated the application in the first place.
It is important to note that the Labour Council were initially set to rubber stamp this application.
It’s only because Conservative Councillors called the decision that we avoided this just getting approved behind closed doors.
Further, while expressing his pleasure, MP Robert Thanked Councillor Adie Hopkinson – Old Glossop & Shirebrook, Cllr Paul Hardy for Old Glossop and Shirebrook and Cllr Linda Grooby for Buxton for calling the application in.
“I also want to thank all those local people who took the time to submit objections to the application. Over 1,400 local people raised objections. I know many residents have been working hard to help me fight these proposals,” he added.
Further, he also expressed his hope that the University of Derby now abandons its plans, which have always been about money rather than what is in the best interests of Buxton.
“Now is the time for the Labour Council to step up and work with me to convert High Peak Halls into affordable homes for local people instead,” he asserted.
Furthermore, MP Robert has shared that, While the planning committee meeting has been cancelled, he will still attend Buxton Methodist Church at 1:30 pm to chat with concerned residents and listen to their views.
“Whatever happens next, I will keep standing up and doing the right thing for the High Peak,” he quoted.
