Council stand-offs put deal for former grammar school at risk of collapse

DISTRICT AND COUNTY ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF 'MOVING THE GOALPOSTS' OVER PROPOSED RENTAL AGREEMENT

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

A FRAUGHT tug of war between two Derbyshire councils could see a deal over a former grammar school scrapped after months of to-ing and fro-ing.

Amber Valley Borough Council agreed deal of up to five years to lease two thirds of the converted former Heanor Grammar School to Derbyshire County Council in July, in a move from which has been criticised by campaigners and business owners in the town.

This decision came to a head at a heated meeting at Ripley Town Hall in August at which campaigners urged Amber Valley, and its Labour leader, Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams, to scrap the deal over the £8.6 million converted school.

Campaigners had said The Grammar - its new name - was supposed to be available for business startups and rentable community facilities and that these pledges were being overridden.

The final third of the building remaining available for community use, includes the rentable community hall only being available after 6pm Monday through Thursday but all day Friday through Sunday, while the business units would be available 24/7.

Parking spaces would only be available to the public between 6pm and 8am on weekdays and all day on weekends - for a fee.