Mackworth Estate

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As you approach on the A52
As you approach on the A52

Mackworth Estate is a large council estate situated to the north-west of Derby near to Markeaton Park and the suburb of Mickleover and also the village of the same name but which is linked by no other means.

The area was built during the 1950s and was one of the largest housing estates to be built in the city. Mackworth's most noticeable landmark (SK312368) is a large water tower owned by Severn Trent and can be seen from much of the estate. The estate is also home to Derby College - Prince Charles Avenue Campus and was formerly known as Mackworth Tertiary College and Mackworth Secondary School.

Today the majority of homes on the estate are now owner occupied, though there is still a significant stock of social housing available. The visual environment of the estate is excellent, with most homes having well maintained and attractive gardens, comparable to any full private housing estate. Housing density is low, there are plentiful areas of green open space, as well as decent amenities and facilities for local residents. Petty crime (which was a rising problem over the course of recent years) has dropped dramatically and is considered one of the 'most improved' areas of the city for the said subject.

Six years ago Mackworth was dubbed Smackworth due to massive problems with drug offences. Again this problem has been close to eradicated thanks to the efforts of local resident action groups. As a consequence these problems have been pushed beyond the boundaries of the Mackworth ward into both neighbouring Mickleover and Allestree. Most notably the Silverhill Estate (Mickleover) and the Blenheim parade (Allestree). What makes matters worse is that the root of the problems for these two suburbs, and in the past Mackworth, arisen from known residents who reside in other wards that make up the city of Derby. Recently the problems in Allestree have been addressed, but Mickleover continues to suffer this blight. Mackworth continues to become a sought after suburb to reside for first time buyers/semi professionals. The fact that this ward can look forward to massive public works projects such as its own branch of the city library, as well as solid decline in crime rates and council owned homes will no doubt dramatically add to this ward's reputation.

Much of the estate council properties have been renovated over the last few years. This included the kitchen and the bathroom many of which were done by Cliff Perrott and Neil Scott who are known as the best bathroom disabled adaption team in the county.

  • Julia Watson, who played Baz in the BBC TV soap Casualty spent some of her school days in Mackworth, her family living at Westbourne Park in Mackworth.
  • Keith Hamer, TV test card collector, lives on the estate[1]
  • Many of the road names in Mackworth are named after places in London for example Knightsbridge, Wembley Gardens, Bayswater Close and Marylebone Crescent giving Mackworth the nickname "Little London".

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Sun, 6 November 2006 accessed 15 January 2008

[edit] External links


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Suburbs of Derby, Derbyshire, England