Residents living near a derelict college site in Nottingham have welcomed plans that would see 55 houses built in its place. The land, off Carlton Road on the border of St Ann's and Sneinton, was once home to the Castle College and formerly a pub.
Proposals have now been tabled by housing developers Keepmoat to transform the area into a mix of two, three and four-bed properties. People living opposite the site, who have gazed out on the abandoned plot for around six years, say the plans would be an effective use of the space.
They also said it would stop anti-social behaviour in the derelict buildings. Aundrey Miller, who has lived in Carlton Road for around 40 years and whose husband was a caretaker at the college, said: "At the moment it looks a right mess.
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"I'm 90 years old so I don't think it'll affect me, I have no objection. It's not been looked after as it should be. People have been round with clipboards, I just want them to get on with it. I'll look forward to it, if I'm alive when it's done."
Michael Moore, a 34-year-old scaffolder who also lives on the street, said: "It will make it better, with it being empty for so long. Kids sometimes break into the building and cause fires and other sorts of trouble."
Another resident added: "They might as well, but they could have turned it into a park, a few more green areas instead of paving over everything.
"But something should be done, you get kids going in there setting fire to stuff. I have had to call the police and fire brigade in the past."
In planning documents submitted to Nottingham City Council, the 55 properties are listed as market houses, with none allocated as affordable. Mr Moore said he wanted the homes to be catered to people wanting to climb onto the property ladder.
"Houses for first-time buyers would be good," he said. "We've been trying to save up for one but it's ridiculous at the moment."
Castle College was formed by a merger of Broxtowe College and the People's College in 2006. It later merged with South Nottingham College to become Central College Nottingham, the latter of which joined New College Nottingham in 2017 and became Nottingham College.
Describing the new proposals in documents, Keepmoat said: "The proposal includes the redevelopment of the site with a scheme for 55 dwellings including demolition of the existing building and hardstanding, upgrading the existing access, new drainage and highways infrastructure, substation and open space."
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