College Roundhouse plans passed

The Roundhouse is expected to open in 2009

A £36m programme to restore Derby's historic Roundhouse has been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Derby College wants to alter the grade II and grade II* listed buildings on the Pride Park site to form the hub of a new campus.

The Roundhouse is the world's oldest steam engine workshop, but it has been unused for many years.

As well as being the college's flagship site, the Roundhouse will also have a visitor centre.

Built in 1839, the Roundhouse could accommodate up to 32 engines. A central turntable was used to move them around.

The funding is in place now, planning has been agreed so it's going to happen this time Nigel Gell Derby College

Previous schemes have been proposed, including one by record producer Pete Waterman who wanted to store his collection of locomotives there.

That fell through, according to Mr Waterman, because of a lack of support.

Nigel Gell from Derby College said the current project would definitely go ahead.

"We've been two-and-a-half years planning this and we've put together a very complicated funding package.

"The funding is in place now, planning has been agreed so it's going to happen this time."

The college expects the site to be open to students by January 2009.