Derby City Council is supporting two community-led projects aimed at revitalising neighbourhood facilities.
Through the use of Section 106 funding, the Council will provide grants to the Mickleover Community Pavilion Association (MCPA) and the charity Safe and Sound to deliver significant improvements to their community spaces. The proposals will be reviewed by Cabinet members at their meeting on September 10.
The Mickleover Community Pavilion, owned by Derby City Council and managed by the MCPA, is a popular hub that is currently operating at full capacity with a waiting list. To meet this growing demand, the MCPA plans to expand the facility by repurposing unused changing rooms into a new community space.
The project also includes a new community garden. This will provide a safe, accessible outdoor area for various groups, while promoting nature recovery and biodiversity.
Additional improvements will include accessibility upgrades to the main hall, a rainwater harvesting system to promote sustainability, and perimeter fencing to ensure a safe and secure environment. These enhancements will not only benefit existing users but also attract new groups, further increasing the pavilion’s positive impact on the community.
Meanwhile, Safe and Sound – which supports vulnerable young people and families – is set to improve the outdoor facilities at its Cotton Lane hub. Following the successful installation of a new kitchen and function space that has fostered a strong sense of ownership and pride, the charity is now focusing on its outdoor areas.
Proposed improvements include upgrades to the BMX track on Osmaston Road/Cotton Lane, installation of a new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), and improved surface and drainage for all outdoor spaces. These upgrades will provide safe, high-quality recreational spaces for local young people and families.
Derby City Council will enter into grant agreements will both groups to provide Section 106 funding for the projects, with the community groups themselves taking on the responsibility for project delivery. Section 106 funding is secured from developers as part of the planning process, in order to improve community infrastructure.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Parks and Leisure, said:
We’re proud to be working in partnership with these fantastic community groups. We’re not just funding projects, we’re empowering local groups to lead and shape the spaces that matter most to them. This ensures these developments truly reflect what our residents need and want.