Drakelow Guide
Drakelow Development
What’s built, what’s planned and what’s changing
Drakelow Park is transforming the former Drakelow Power Station site into a large new community beside Burton-on-Trent. The long-term scheme includes up to 2,239 homes alongside a primary school, local centres, employment, open space and new walking, cycling and transport links.
Last checked: 25 August 2026. Plans and delivery dates can change, so we link to official sources below.
South Derbyshire District Council’s April 2026 Housing Position Paper records 1,082 homes completed at Drakelow Park by 31 March 2026. The strategic allocation allows for up to 2,239 homes, meaning the development is substantial but still has further phases to deliver.
The original planning framework is wider than housing alone. It provides for a primary school, local retail centres, pedestrian and cycle connections, open space and other infrastructure intended to support the growing community.
Housing has been delivered in phases across the former power-station land. The council’s 2026 housing evidence identifies David Wilson Homes among the developers secured to deliver homes and lists outline permission DMPA/2020/1460, with reserved-matters permissions including DMPA/2021/1829 and DMPA/2022/0568.
Rather than quoting developers’ sales forecasts here, Drakelow Hub uses council monitoring figures for the overall progress count so this page can be updated consistently over time.
Drakelow Park Flying High Academy, on Marley Way, is due to open in September 2026. Derbyshire County Council confirmed in May 2026 that the school had been built for the council by the housing developers on Dracan Village and approved £525,000 to equip it for opening.
The school is one of the clearest signs of Drakelow moving from a housing development towards a more established community with its own day-to-day infrastructure.
The planning framework provides for one or two local retail centres intended to meet everyday neighbourhood needs. A South Derbyshire property bulletin has also marketed a 5.07-acre neighbourhood-centre site within Phase 2 for uses including a supermarket, neighbourhood retail and local services.
That does not mean every advertised use is confirmed or has an opening date. We’ll separate confirmed openings from proposals here as individual occupiers and facilities are announced.
Transport has always been a major part of the Drakelow Park plan. The planning framework requires pedestrian and cycle routes through the site and connections with surrounding residential areas, alongside wider highway infrastructure associated with the development.
For live roadworks and day-to-day journey information, use the Hub’s Travel section →
The redevelopment is not intended to cover the entire former power-station site with housing. Earlier council investment material described substantial green infrastructure including parks, village spaces, woodland, riverside walking, sports areas and green corridors. The precise layout and delivery of individual areas depends on the approved phases and detailed planning permissions.
The wider former Drakelow Power Station area is also part of South Derbyshire’s longer-term growth planning. The council’s emerging Local Plan identifies a separate strategic employment allocation on former power-station land, so future change around Drakelow extends beyond the residential Drakelow Park scheme itself.
We’ll keep those projects distinct on Drakelow Hub: Drakelow Park housing and community development is not the same thing as every future proposal for the wider former power-station land.
South Derbyshire District Council’s planning search is the authoritative place to check live and historic applications. It supports searches by parish, postcode, ward and map, which is useful because individual Drakelow phases can have separate application references.
Search official planning applications →
A planning application for signage at Drakelow Park Flying High Academy appeared on the council planning system as preparations continue for the school’s opening.
Derbyshire County Council approved £525,000 of equipment funding for the new primary school, confirming an expected September 2026 opening.
South Derbyshire’s housing monitoring records 1,082 Drakelow Park homes completed by 31 March 2026.
For decisions and statutory information, check South Derbyshire District Council Planning and Derbyshire County Council’s school update. Drakelow Hub is an independent community guide, not a council or developer website.
Sources: South Derbyshire District Council Local Plan and April 2026 Housing Position Paper; South Derbyshire property information; Derbyshire County Council. Figures and dates are checked against official publications where possible. Spotted something newer? Let us know.