Chesterfield’s partnership approach is delivering £2bn of regeneration opportunity
Chesterfield’s reputation as a place where public and private sectors work in partnership is helping unlock a £2 billion programme of regeneration and investment opportunities across the borough.
At a roundtable held during UKREiiF, the UK’s biggest regeneration and investment conference, leaders from development, planning, construction and local government pointed to a consistent theme behind that progress: collaboration.
Andy Dabbs, Managing Executive Director at Whittam Cox Architects, said the borough’s proactive approach is making a difference in a challenging market:
“It’s very easy to sit back and wait for the problem to be resolved for you, but what I’ve seen Chesterfield do time and time again is take positive action.
Developments don’t just happen; it’s the ability to engage the private sector, attract funding and build confidence. It feels like Chesterfield has gone against the odds.”
Long-term partnerships delivering results
That collaborative approach is reflected in major projects such as Markham Vale, a long-term regeneration scheme delivered through a partnership between Derbyshire County Council and HBD over two decades.
Tom Wheldon, Executive Director at HBD, said: “That’s a 20-year partnership where you align your company’s interests with the council’s objectives. If you get that alignment right and continue that dialogue, you can achieve great things.”
Highlighting its impact, he added: “There are now more people employed at Markham Vale than were employed in the coal mine; that’s a huge success for regeneration.”
Across the borough, partnership working has already delivered significant outcomes, including more than 1,100 jobs created or safeguarded through the new Grade A workspace developments of One Waterside Place and the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.
Leadership building confidence
A clear message from investors is that Chesterfield offers consistency, clarity and a willingness to work together.
Rhian Davitt-Jones, Director at CBRE, said: “Public sector investment has been critical in driving and de-risking opportunities, setting the building blocks for growth.”
Ken Harrison, Director of Spatial Development at East Midlands Combined County Authority, added: “The ambition of Chesterfield is phenomenal. You’re doing some really stretching things for a town of its size.”
Alex Hyams, Head of Mixed-Use Asset Management at Milligan, said: “The council’s relationships at every level are very progressive, easy to engage with, and when you look at the fundamentals, there is still huge potential.”
Liam Hawkins, Operations Director at Maylim, said Chesterfield’s delivery on the ground played a direct role in the company’s decision to invest in the area:
“It was coming to Chesterfield and seeing the works in the market square that allowed me to convince the other directors that we should branch out.
The standard of design and the projects being delivered made it a really attractive place for us.”
Investing in people and skills
Alongside physical regeneration, there is a strong focus on developing local talent.
Andrew Byrne, Group Development Director at the Devonshire Group and Chair of Destination Chesterfield, highlighted the impact of the award-winning Construction Skills Hub: “It’s a perfect example of partnership, a relatively small project, but one that can make a huge difference.”
That focus is delivering measurable outcomes – through local labour clauses 474 jobs have been created with 23 apprenticeships and £5.7 million of local contracts created in a single year.
Shaun Lunn, Director at AtkinsRéalis, added: “Chesterfield is a tremendous source of talent. We bring in apprentices and graduates every year because they’re a great pipeline.”
A place with a clear identity
For Paul Holden, Director at Peak Architects, the borough’s success also comes from staying true to its identity:
“The developments are reinforcing the strengths of the town, the people and the spaces and pushing it forward without losing what it’s about.”
Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, added: “Putting our communities first has been at the heart of everything we do. Development must benefit local people.”
A platform for the next phase of growth
With a £2 billion pipeline, a strong track record of delivery and a clear partnership approach, Chesterfield is positioned as a compelling location for investment.
As Andrew Byrne concluded: “One of the biggest advantages Chesterfield has is the people who collaborate and are advocates for the place.”
Developers, investors and occupiers can discover more about the next phase of growth at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments
