City ‘University Zone’ planned

A masterplan showing how a university zone will be created in the city is being drawn up by University of Derby.

University vice-chancellor Professor Kath Mitchell, who expects the plan to be publicly revealed early in 2019, said the blueprint for the institution’s physical development follows the newly-published Strategic Framework, which plots the university’s development through to 2030.

Professor Mitchell said: “We would like to see our Business School sited in the city centre. But what should it contain and where should it be to make sure it links up with existing business and the community?

“We have various buildings and parcels of land around the city but I would like to see a university zone developed that links us here at the Kedleston Road campus with the city centre.

“In fact I would like to see more zoning of the city as a whole into different types of activity which the university zone would slot into such as restaurants, retail and enterprise.

“We have buildings that we need to look at to see what benefit the community will have from their presence such as Britannia Mill in Mackworth Road.”

The Agard Street area is likely to be developed further as part of the university quarter as there is already a considerable student presence there, including the Law School and numerous halls of residence.

Professor Mitchell confirmed that a newly-acquired car park on Ford Street would also be playing a part in future plans.