Planning permission granted for new car park

Plans to build a multi-million pound replacement Saltergate multi-storey car park have been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee.

At their meeting on Monday 14 May, councillors approved the plans for the car park with 530 spaces for shoppers and commuters. It will also help serve the 89 bedroom Premier Inn hotel being built at the former Co-op building on Elder Way as part of the Northern Gateway development.

Users of the new car park will benefit from an improved user experience. The new car park will have wider bays and a higher proportion of disabled and parent and child spaces than the old car park, which was demolished earlier this year.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “One of the council’s top priorities is to make Chesterfield a thriving borough and by investing in the new car park as part of the wider Northern Gateway scheme, we will encourage people to use this part of our town centre.

“Now the planning application has been approved, work remains on track for a start on site in September.”

Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “The demolition of Saltergate carpark is a welcome and visible sign that plans for Northern Gateway are starting to come to fruition.

“The very fact the carpark is being replaced with a larger structure is a key indicator that there is both footfall and demand in  Chesterfield. There are also further multi-storey carparks being built at Waterside to meet future anticipated demand which is being driven by the town’s investment potential.”

Work is currently underway on the Northern Gateway scheme including the transformation of the former Co-op department store which, as well as the Premier Inn hotel, will feature six bars and restaurants on the ground floor and a fitness centre in the basement.

There will also be environmental improvements on Elder Way. A planning application will also  be submitted soon for a new enterprise centre on part of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.

The Northern Gateway scheme is partly funded by the Sheffield City Region Local Growth Fund.

Find out more about the Northern Gateway development.