'A number of parties' showing interest in taking over Melton campus site
The plan to use Melton Mowbray’s college and theatre site as a centre to teach children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is still being pursued.
Discovery Trust announced in January that it was interested in taking over the Asfordby Road campus site to provide 75 SEND places as an extension to the town’s Birch Wood Area Special School, which is one of the trust’s family of schools.
It would serve families in Charnwood and Market Harborough, as well as Melton, to help cater for a growing need from families at a time when Birch Wood is oversubscribed with requests for places there.
Leicestershire County Council, the local education authority, has said it would look at the Discovery Trust proposal when it is finalised with demand increasing sharply across the county for SEND education places.
Loughborough College Group wants to sell off the site for £3.5M because it is no longer financially viable to run the campus and theatre alongside its other education centres at Brooksby, Loughborough and Coalville.
Rosalind Hopkins, director of specialist provision at Discovery Trust, told the Melton Times: “We are actively in the process of making all relevant applications and are fully committed to doing everything we can to secure the site.
“While there are a number of steps still to work through, our intent is clear and our focus remains firmly on progressing this at pace.
“We are extremely grateful for the strong community interest and support around the site.
"We are keen to work collaboratively with local stakeholders to help ensure that this important asset remains part of the community, and that it can be further restored and thoughtfully evolved for future use.”
David Hargreaves, director of FHP Property Consultants, which is marketing the campus site on behalf of Loughborough College Group, said offers are still being sought.
He told the Melton Times: “We have and will continue to arrange viewings of the property to suit all interested parties.
“We have a number of parties showing interest and asking relevant questions.”
Loughborough College Group said it was unable at this stage to give an update on whether any viable offers had so far been made for the site.