Govt 'minded' to axe two schools planned for new home estates

FUTURES OF TWO OTHERS UNCERTAIN AS COUNCILLOR CLAIMS FAMILIES 'LEFT IN LIMBO'

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

THE Government is "minded to cancel" long-held plans to build two Derbyshire schools aimed at supporting hundreds of homes which have already been built.

For the past year, the future of four new schools in Bolsover, Derby and Wingerworth has hung in the balance due to a pause by the Labour Government.

However, the Government has now confirmed for the first time that it is "minded to cancel" a planned secondary for the 6,500-home Infinity Garden Village, bordering Chellaston, and a primary on the 1,100-home New House Farm development in Mickleover.

Meanwhile, a planned primary school on The Avenue in Wingerworth and the Bolsover Sixth Form (now North Derbyshire University Academy) have both been categorised as "continue in pre-opening", which leaves their fates effectively undecided for the time being.

Both the Infinity Park Spencer Academy and the 210-space New House Farm Primary School were last due to open in September 2027, having already been delayed from 2023 and 2025 respectively.

The majority of the 1,100 homes on New House Farm have been built and work on the up to 6,500 homes on the Infinity Garden Village has been ongoing for years.