Automotive component specialists Ferdinand Bilstein UK are gearing up to move to Chesterfield’s flagship regeneration site now that work has started on the new distribution centre − creating up to 400 new jobs.

The firm will be moving its current distribution operations in Kent and Pontefract to a new purpose-built 225,000 square feet distribution centre to benefit from better transport links at Markham Vale located just off junction 29A of the M1.

Established in Germany in 1844, the company operates worldwide producing, marketing and distributing car parts for a range of vehicle makes and models including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Land Rover and Ford.

Paul Dodgson, Operations Director at Ferdinand Bilstein UK, said:-

“We are excited about being part of this high profile development. Building has now commenced at the Markham Vale site and we look forward to seeing the build completion at the end of the year.

“Markham Vale offers excellent transport links for our distribution requirements, and close proximity to some of our biggest customers. The new relocation will allow us to expand our company further, offering new opportunities on a local and national scale.”

The company’s new distribution centre will be the first business on the site’s third phase, Markham Vale North and is set to be completed by December this year creating around 150 jobs initially and a further 250 to follow.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council leader, said:-

“We’re delighted to see that work has now started on Ferdinand Bilstein UK’s new distribution centre at Markham, bringing up to 400 more new jobs to the area.

“The site’s convenient location just off junction 29A of the M1 continues to attract local and national businesses and as a result it’s providing work for existing local businesses in the construction industry.

“Markham Vale is central to our plans to boost the local economy and it’s good to know that it’s benefiting and contributing to the national economy as well by using British steel too.”

Ferdinand Bilstein UK’s new distribution centre will be built by our private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said:-

“I am pleased to announce that work has now started on the 225,000 square feet distribution centre for Ferdinand Bilstein UK.

“The unit is the first to be developed on Markham Vale North and will benefit from the new Seymour Link access road, which will create easy access to M1 motorway networks.

“The company chose to part-relocate its operations due to the transport network and access that Markham Vale offers. We have had huge success with the Markham West and East sections of land, and are confident the North land will be no different, generating huge amounts of interest since its launch.”

Land at Linacre Road is to be put up for sale by Chesterfield Borough Council.

A public consultation was held in October last year into a masterplan which will guide development on the 37-acre site. It proposes using the land for 300 new homes.

More than 200 people attended the consultation events, with around 80 making comments.

After taking into account the issues raised a revised masterplan has now been agreed and the council’s cabinet has approved plans to put the land up for sale in the autumn.

The original plans had proposed creating a landscaped wildlife buffer zone between any housing development and Ashgate Plantation. But following concerns raised during the consultation that a buffer zone could create anti-social behaviour or fly tipping problems it is now proposed to build homes with longer gardens that would back on to the plantation site instead.

Access to the site could either be off one of two sites in Linacre Road or through Leadhill Road, although the final decision on which to use would form part of the decision for councillors when a planning application is made. Members of the public would have the opportunity to comment on any future planning application.

All councils are required by the Government to have enough land available to meet the demand for new housing in the next five years. In Chesterfield, this equates to 380 new homes being built each year to meet the growing needs of the area.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said: “To meet the demand for housing in Chesterfield we need to bring forward sites like this for development, as not all the housing can be built on brownfield or previously used sites.

“The land will now go on the market to prospective buyers in the autumn. Once we have agreed a sale the housing developer would need to make a planning application to put forward detailed proposals of the type and exact number of houses they would want to build.”

If a buyer is found, and planning permission is given, it is expected that work could start on site in summer 2018.

Councillor Gilby added: “As with all developments of this type, we will be seeking for up to 30 per cent of the housing to be affordable homes.

“Developers would also have to make a Community Infrastructure Levy payment that will contribute to the cost of providing school places, playgrounds or green spaces or other community needs generated by a development like this.”

The Linacre Road land was originally bought by the council in the 1970s to meet future housing needs and is a site identified for in the council’s Local Plan Core Strategy, which was approved in 2013.

The revised masterplan for the site includes ground conditions, ecology and archaeological reports. All of these would need to be considered as part of the planning application process.

Further information about the development, including the masterplan and a frequently asked questions section that provides answers to questions raised during the public consultation, can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/linacre-road