Belper Civic ForumThe Civic Society of Belper and Milford in Derbyshire

An historic former school is outlined for development under a charitable trust to become a combined community and business centre.

Belper Civic Forum is proposing to take over and maintain the former Herbert Strutt Primary School building, in Derby Road, Belper, and form a new independent charitable development trust to continue to run it.

The feasibility study on the future of the school building concluded that a mixed community and commercial use, as advocated by the Belper Civic Forum, was likely to be the best option from a financial point of view. It suggested that the scheme would be self financing provided the former car park was developed for housing.

15 May 2008
7:30pm to 9:30pm 
 
A meeting for members to discuss the final draft report that is being produced about the future of the school. It will take place at St.John’s Chapel in St.John’s Road, Belper at 1930.
Please note: Should the report be delayed, this meeting may either be postponed or arranged to cover another subject of topical interest

The children and teachers finally left the old Herbert Strutt school building this morning. The story was covered by BBC East Midlands TV, including interviews with Belper Civic Forum about the future use of the site.  The Strutt School sub-group of the Forum decided this week to use the name “Strutts” for its project for the re-use of the building for mixed community and commercial use. A special web page is being prepared including an on-line petition. In the meantime volunteers will be out getting signatures in Belper on Saturdays March 1st and 8th.