Property and Construction

New housing scheme in Clay Cross offers “save to buy” scheme for local tenants

35 new homes are being developed in Clay Cross, offering a flexible option for local tenants looking to get on the property ladder.

Six two-bed houses and a three-bed home were on display to the public recently, to showcase the new development at Clay Lane.

These homes have been built in partnership with North East Derbyshire District Council, Rentplus, and Woodall Homes, helping fill the need for affordable quality homes in the district.

The scheme is the first affordable rent to buy scheme in NE Derbyshire. Tenants move in with no deposit and pay an affordable rent (which includes all repairs and service charges) which gives tenants the opportunity to save towards a future mortgage.

At key pre-set points at years 5, 10, 15 or 20 they can buy their home and are given a 10% sum from Rentplus towards their savings. The average total household income of tenants on the scheme is £33,000 and the properties have been allocated to local residents, mostly key or essential workers. who otherwise would have struggled to purchase a property on the open market.

Steve Collins, CEO of Rentplus explains why affordable rent to buy schemes are needed: “With the average house price for first-time buyers in North East Derbyshire over £211,000, many working households on lower or middle incomes are locked out of home ownership as they are unable to save enough for a deposit, even though they could afford mortgage repayments.

“Tenants move in without paying an initial deposit and then rent their home at an affordable rent (which includes all repairs and service charges) for between 5 and 20 years whilst they save. When ready to buy, they receive a gifted deposit of 10% from Rentplus towards their savings”

North East Derbyshire District Council Leader, Councillor Nigel Barker said: “I’m delighted to see such a fantastic scheme for some of our wonderful residents, who will be moving into these brand new houses in the coming weeks. In our Council Plan, we have demonstrated our commitment to increasing the number of affordable homes in the district in the years to come.”

MP Lee Rowley has also welcomed the scheme: “I’m very impressed with what I have seen today and I’m looking forward to seeing people move into their Rentplus home. They key thing is to give people choices: whether to rent or to buy, or something in-between. What’s so good about this is that it allows people to become homeowners in the medium or long term but doing it in a way that helps people in the short term.”

Did you know that Chesterfield was recently ranked as the 2nd best place in the UK to raise a family? Find out more about the excellent lifestyle offered to residents in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/living/

Woodall Homes supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

clay lane houses NEDDC

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Work due to start on 650 new houses in Mastin Moor

Work is due to begin on the new 650-home community in Mastin Moor, near Staveley after planning approval was granted this week.

The Devonshire Group, which owns the 46-hectare site, will now begin enabling works for phases 1 and 2 of the project, which will pave the way for the first homes to be delivered. These include creation of a new access road, services and the formation of public open space.

The preparatory works are due to complete in late spring 2024, with work on the new homes set to begin over the summer of 2024 on the first phase of 143 three, four and five- bedroom homes, by local developer Harron Homes.

The enabling works will also pave the way for the launch of the Construction Skills Hub, a Staveley Town Deal project, developed by Chesterfield Borough Council and to be operated by Chesterfield College in conjunction with the University of Derby. The Devonshire Group has collaborated on and supported the Council to deliver this innovative project.

The Skills Hub will provide a practical platform for construction training, careers activity and work experience on a live construction site. Over ten years, the hub aims to provide training, careers insights, and work experience for over 5,000 learners.

As well as providing support for trade skills, this partnership provides the opportunity to progress to a university level and develop the skills needed for roles like quantity surveyor or estimator, helping develop skills in the local community and provide new career opportunities.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director at the Devonshire Group, said: “Receiving planning approval marks an exciting next step for our development at Mastin Moor. We are now able to get underway with works in earnest and start to see the project really take shape.

“Our focus now is to ensure that we move the project forward quickly, while also prioritising a considered, sustainable and sensitive approach for the benefit of the wider community that we serve. We’re looking forward to continuing this journey and creating a place that will contribute to the area and provide new homes for local people.’

Upon completion, the new community at Mastin Moor will deliver 650 new homes, including affordable and accessible properties, elderly accommodation and a local centre. The development will also provide almost 20 hectares of publicly accessible open space and landscaping, significantly enhancing the biodiversity on site.

The project is expected to take 10 years to complete and create 150 direct construction jobs, as well as 250 roles in the supply chain and elsewhere.

Outline planning permission for the site was approved by Committee in December 2022.

The Devonshire Group supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Indicative-masterplan-Mastin-Moor

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Manufacturing, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , , ,

Charity completes refurbishment at former Chesterfield register office

The refurbishment of the former Chesterfield register office, based in a prominent town centre location has now been completed.

Charity Derwent Rural Counselling Service, one of the largest third-sector providers of counselling services in the region, has undertaken the total refurbishment of the building on New Beetwell Street.

The three-storey centre, which will be officially opened with a launch event on September 22, has become DRCS’s new Chesterfield base and includes office space, numerous treatment and consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with the increased demand for DRCS services in the area.

DRCS Trustees were taken on a tour of the building ahead of the therapists moving in from mid-August. The building also offers options for businesses to rent rooms and floorspace, with disabled access via a new state-of-the-art lift.

Janette Smeeton, chief executive at DRCS, said: “This has been a huge project for our team and one of the most important in the charity’s 30-year history. The need for mental health services has never been greater as people struggle post Covid, with the pressures of work and family, and challenging economic times.

“This will be one of the largest talking therapy centres in the county and we look forward to welcoming people to our new centre, served by our team of experienced therapists.”

Mark Serby, chair of DRCS Trustees, added: “The building is fantastic. Not only has DRCS brought an empty facility back to community use, but it has created a valuable asset for people and businesses in the region to access on their journey to wellness and well-being.”

The Beetwell Street hub is part of ambitious plans for DRCS which operates a large team of freelance and employed staff based at seven centres across the county covering the Amber Valley, Erewash, Chesterfield, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Derby, Swadlincote and the Peak District.

Over the last 30 years, DRCS, which can be accessed via self-referral or through a GP, has offered talking therapies for common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long-term conditions through pathways including counselling, CBT and guided self-help.

In the last eight years, DRCS has been in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to deliver the NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression service, throughout Derbyshire.

To find out how you can access DRCS services across Derbyshire call 0800 047 6861.

Looking for a new business premises in Chesterfield? Find out more about the range of commercial property available at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/commercial-property-search/

chesterfield register office

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

BSP Consulting appointed as supplier to the NHS

East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has been named as a supplier on an NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Framework Agreement.

BSP won a place on the Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services (HPCCAS) Framework Agreement to provide civil and structural engineering services.

The appointment opens up a pipeline of opportunities for the company.

BSP managing director Carl Hilton said: “This is great news for BSP Consulting. Over many years we have completed numerous projects, including new build hospitals and health centres and the re-modelling on many existing hospital sites to help to improve facilities and patient care.

“Being awarded a place on this NHS SBS Framework Agreement highlights our expertise in this field and gives us the opportunity to increase our work with hospitals and other healthcare operators in the future.”

BSP was previously on an NHS SBS Framework Agreement as a sub-consultant but has now been awarded a position in the company’s own right. The framework agreement runs for four years.

“We are currently on more than 20 framework agreements, which is providing a wealth of opportunities for the business – helping to cement our position as one of the largest independent civil and structural engineering companies in the East Midlands,” added Carl Hilton.

BSP is an award-winning firm that operates across the UK, offering civil engineering, structural engineering, transport engineering, geotechnical and environmental engineering.

The company works across all sectors including housing, student accommodation, commercial, industrial, health, education, senior living, retail and heritage.

Recently, BSP was involved in improving the look and feel of the Elder Way area of Chesterfield (pictured below), while also making the area more accessible.

It is one of the businesses working as part of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group, which brings together business leaders of the region’s property sector and Chesterfield Borough Council to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

BSP Consulting supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

elder way public realm bsp

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Leading industrial automation and electrical engineering firm opens new headquarters in Chesterfield

One of Ireland’s leading industrial automation and electrical engineering companies has opened its UK headquarters in the centre of Chesterfield today.

NeoDyne’s newly recruited team, based at the company’s state-of-the-art Spire Walk office, was joined at the launch by Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Minister for Skills and Further Education; local councillors Jenny Flood and Keith Miles, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council Amanda Serjeant; and Dom Stevens from Destination Chesterfield.

Referring to Chesterfield’s long history of engineering excellence, Matt Close, UK Business Lead, said NeoDyne was harnessing the area’s potential and local talent to guarantee the success of the office. “Chesterfield was the ideal location to base our UK headquarters, with its accessibility to the midlands and the north,” he said. “We are proud to invest in and support the local economy and to work closely with Destination Chesterfield to champion the area.”

Matt Close joined NeoDyne at the start of the year, bringing over 25 years’ experience of working with leading UK automation and engineering companies. He will head up the Chesterfield team.

2_NeoDyne team with Toby Perkins MP and Cllr Amanda Serjeant Dep Leader Chesterfield Borough Council

Introducing Matt, Martin Farrell, NeoDyne MD, said, “With his industrial background, knowledge of our sectors and business connections, Matt brings a wealth of experience and local knowledge to the team. Matt has already grown our UK operation to 15 engineers with plans for significant further expansion. I am confident our UK office will go from strength to strength under his leadership.”

The launch was also attended by representatives from local universities, including Sam Trafford, Andrea Huidan and Greg Stewart, University of Sheffield; and Joe Hockney and John Sorsby, Sheffield Hallam University.

Thanking them for attending, Matt said, “Working with local institutions like Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield has helped us build a talented and skilled UK-based team. This talent pipeline is another key factor behind our decision to base ourselves in Chesterfield. We are committed to partnering with local universities to help develop future engineering talent through placement and graduate recruitment programmes.”

Toby Perkins MP said: “I am delighted to be joining NeoDyne for the opening ceremony of their new premises in Chesterfield. It is a real show of confidence in our town that NeoDyne has chosen to open here, bringing with them new jobs, and helping to boost the local economy. The company is bringing in highly-skilled jobs and will be a welcome addition to the strong engineering and manufacturing base we have here in Chesterfield.

“Manufacturing in Chesterfield has changed from the days when thousands turned up at factory gates every morning, but still there are products across the world, that are ‘Made in Chesterfield’. “I look forward to formally welcoming NeoDyne to our town and discussing their plans for the future.”

NeoDyne has enjoyed continued growth since its launch in 1998 and employs more than 170 automation, electrical, and IT engineers in six offices across the UK and Ireland.

As a leading industrial automation and electrical engineering solutions and services provider, the company has more than 300 customers, including large multinationals in pharma, high-end food and beverage manufacturing and energy.

Looking to expand or relocate your organisation? Find out why Chesterfield is the perfect location to base your business here.

NeoDyne team with Toby Perkins MP

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Demand for Chesterfield office space soars following completion of flagship developments

Demand for office space has soared in Chesterfield, Derbyshire’s largest town, following the completion of several high-quality schemes, according to new figures published today by Destination Chesterfield.

Demand for space in Chesterfield’s enterprise centres, which provide flexible accommodation for start-ups and businesses with high growth potential, has increased since Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, the town’s newest centre, opened in July 2022.

More than three-quarters (81 per cent) of the office suites are now occupied at Northern Gateway, well ahead of a 50 per cent 12-month target set by Chesterfield Borough Council. Almost half (14) of tenants at Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre are new to Chesterfield, and have either fully relocated to or opened satellite offices in the town since July 2022.

Occupancy rates at Chesterfield’s established enterprise centres have rebounded to above pre-pandemic levels. 85 per cent of space at Dunston Innovation Centre and 87 per cent of Tapton Park Innovation Centre is now let. Occupancy at both locations was below 80 per cent at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and had fallen to 67 per cent at Dunston and 57 per cent at Tapton Park during the third national lockdown in early 2021.

Two floors of One Waterside Place, a 35,000 sq ft office block next to Chesterfield’s mainline railway station are now occupied and Chesterfield Borough Council reports strong interest in the remaining space. Opened in January 2023, One Waterside Place is located in Basin Square, a major part of the £340m Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme.

One Waterside Place

One Waterside Place

Private landlords are also succeeding in attracting businesses to new developments in Chesterfield. Occupancy has reached 94 per cent at The Glass Yard, a 50,000 sq ft office and retail park opened in 2022 by Blue Deer on Sheffield Road, Chesterfield. And FI Real Estate Management has secured deals on 1,143 sq ft and 7,647 sq ft spaces at The HQ, a former Royal Mail building delivering 44,000 sq ft of open-plan office space after refurbishment work completed in April 2023.

Chesterfield Borough Council is supporting a series of projects to provide high-quality commercial space for businesses. It has helped bring to market almost 300,000 square feet of modern office, industrial, manufacturing and logistics space since the start of 2022, and expects to make further premises totalling more than a million sq ft available by the middle of 2025.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, comments: “Our local economy is growing and the investments we have made in modern attractive office space has helped bring new businesses into the town and created new jobs for our residents. Our investment coupled with our central location, culture of invention, competitive cost base and quality of life, is driving growth across the borough. Demand is soaring from local start-ups, relocating entrepreneurs from the likes of London, Leeds and Sheffield, and bigger businesses wanting more space or to consolidate their facilities in a single, central location.”

Tim Turner, Managing Director at Blue Deer Ltd, comments: “Chesterfield is a thriving business location and the perfect place for the mix of office and retail space we offer at The Glass Yard. Demand for space here has been particularly strong since we opened last year, both from local companies and incoming businesses.”

The Glassyard

The Glassyard

Dom Knowles, Head of Offices at FI Real Estate Management (FIREM), comments: “We’re passionate about putting Chesterfield on the map as a great place to work, improving its offering in line with nearby cities and enriching the lives of the local business community. We recently carried out a £1.2m refurbishment of The HQ to update the building to a Grade A workspace and we’re already receiving high levels of interest. The HQ offers excellent bespoke office solutions and benefits from well-connected rail and road transport networks, making it a great choice for businesses.”

HQ-Chesterfield-exterior

The HQ, Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s business population has grown by more than a fifth (21 per cent) in the last decade, creating 2,000 new jobs, including 1,800 high-value roles in sectors such as advanced manufacturing and professional services. The town recently published an ambitious growth strategy to attract 400 more businesses and 2,000 more jobs by 2030.

To find out more about the wide range of high-quality office spaces in Chesterfield, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/office

Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Chair’s blog: “Businesses certainly see strong benefits to investing and growing in Chesterfield”

Creating vibrant town centres continues to be a priority for Chesterfield.

Like all towns across the UK, we know we must evolve to attract more residents, workers, and visitors to spend time in our high streets.

At the beginning of summer, I wrote about many exciting festivals and events taking place locally. All encouraging you to make memories with your loved ones and to support our shops, eateries and leisure businesses.

This month, I am highlighting the successes of the new office spaces in Chesterfield town centre. Developments like these are bringing hundreds of new jobs to the heart of our town. Exactly what we need to increase the footfall from Monday to Friday.

The new offices are proving popular – thanks to their attractive location, as well as being energy efficient. In less than a year after its opening, the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is now more than 80% full. Meanwhile, several more firms have expressed a strong interest in One Waterside Place, following the two floors that have already been snapped up.

Furthermore, it’s fantastic to see a full refurbishment now completed at The HQ. What used to be the Royal Mail offices – set adjacent to Queen’s Park – has been transformed into an exciting hub for businesses to thrive.

Quality office spaces continue to be promoted by Destination Chesterfield, with the next marketing campaign underway, targeting firms looking to relocate and grow. I’m pleased to say that almost 3,000 enquiries have been made over the past five years for business premises, keeping Chesterfield Borough Council’s economic development team very busy!

Businesses certainly see strong benefits to investing and growing in Chesterfield, with over 3,000 enterprises now operating here.

But we won’t stop there. It is Chesterfield’s aim to attract a further 100 higher value businesses by 2030, generating more higher wage jobs for local people. This will be complemented by new educational facilities in Staveley, giving people the chance to learn advanced skills in sectors such as construction and rail.

Looking ahead to October, the Chesterfield Investment Summit is a key annual event that allows us to showcase our strengths to inward investors and growing businesses. Returning to Casa Hotel on Wednesday 18th October, it will highlight the wide range of regeneration taking place across our area, whilst explaining the benefits of locating your business here.

This year’s event will focus on quality and sustainable housing, the Gateway at PEAK – which will be an exciting new visitor destination, and the latest progress on Chesterfield town centre’s upcoming £20 million transformation… I’ll be writing more about that in the next post!

As we look towards the future, I have no doubt that Chesterfield will continue to build on its strong foundations and thrive as a top destination for visitors and investors.

Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Development, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Businesses welcomed to express interest in new flexible units in Clay Cross

Businesses in the leisure and the food and beverage sectors can now express their interest in moving into one of several flexible units coming soon to the heart of Clay Cross.

Each 50 square-metre shell unit is self-contained but can be leased alone or in multiples for the short or long-term. Leases include full repairing and insuring.

Each unit comes with outdoor space in front of each unit and have dedicated delivery space at the rear. Free parking is available nearby and each unit will also be under CCTV coverage.

The units are estimated to be available for moving into by January 2025.

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Clay Cross Town Deal, Cllr Jayne Barry said: “We’re pleased to finally have discussions with business owners, or owners to be, about the opportunity to potentially become part of the new Broadleys town square.”

The Town Centre Regeneration project in Clay Cross is supporting several changes being made to revitalise the area, as part of the £24.1m Clay Cross Town Investment Plan.

The proposed masterplan covers four key elements:

  • Transport and connections improvements (subject to an upcoming consultation) – proposals include providing enhanced parking and access from the A61, improving traffic flow through the town, re-opening Bridge Street from Harris Way and the pedestrianisation of Market Street from Bridge Street to High Street.
  • Skills and Enterprise zone – renovating the clock tower building (Adult Education Centre) into a hub for learning and business engagement, which also includes a proposal to bring the library into the town centre.
  • Clay Cross Community/Social area – preserving, restoring and enhancing heritage buildings in the centre of the town, focused on restoring the annex of the clock tower building and creating a new leisure space fronting onto the proposed new town square area.
  • Broadleys site – forming a new town square as the heart between other elements of the Town Deal, providing flexible accommodation for start-up businesses in pop-up enterprise units and providing a space for community activities.

Work is well under way on this project, pending the business case approval from central government which is expected by the end of March 2023.

Looking to locate your business in Chesterfield or North Derbyshire? Find out more why our town is an ideal location to help your business grow at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Clay Cross

Birds’ eye view of Clay Cross Town Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Chesterfield property and construction firms encouraged to enter regional awards

The nomination deadline (Thursday 31 August) is approaching quickly for East Midlands Business Link’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023.

Property and Construction firms in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire still have the opportunity to showcase their business, teams, outstanding developments and boost morale with an entry for the annual celebration of the industry.

Taking place on Thursday 28 September, the Bricks shine a light on the exceptional work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.

The glittering awards ceremony revealing winners, at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, will also offer the ideal chance to establish new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.

Entries for the awards are open until Thursday 31 August. To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, go to: https://www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/bricks-2023/

The awards to be presented on the evening are as follows:

• Most active estate agent
• Commercial development of the year
• Responsible business of the year
• Residential development of the year
• Developer of the year
• Deal of the year
• Architects of the year
• Excellence in design
• Sustainable development of the year
• Contractor of the year
• Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)

The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

Tickets are also now available for the event, which allows delegates to connect with local decision-makers over canapés and complimentary drinks, while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Find out more here.

Chesterfield boasts an active Property and Construction Group, which brings business leaders of the region’s property sector and Chesterfield Borough Council together to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

The group works across four key themes, that are led by members of the group, specifically the skills agenda, business support, promoting investment in Chesterfield and sustainability and wellbeing.

Find out more about the group at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/

east midlands bricks awards

Image courtesy of East Midlands Business Link

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Peak Gateway appoints Stirling Prize winning architects

International, award-winning architects, Stanton Williams have been appointed to design The Gateway at PEAK, consented on 300 acres of reclaimed land located on the eastern boundary of the Peak District National Park, near Chesterfield.

The Gateway is intended to play an important role in cementing Chesterfield as a destination town as part of the Peak District experience and providing visitors and the local community with low impact ways to explore the National Park thanks to a zero-carbon travel hub.

Alongside Stanton Williams, a multi-skilled project team has been assembled, led by Milligan, a specialist destination and mixed-use real estate developer, who are working closely with regional strategic partners, including Chesterfield Borough Council, The University of Derby and the Peak District National Park Authority.

Peak Gateway Properties has briefed the team to define and design the Gateway build and operations around the principles of a ‘regenerative enterprise’, promoting the restoration and regeneration of natural resources and social systems.

The founders of Birchall Properties, the landowner, have already invested over 35 years in nature recovery and passive rewilding on the 300-acre Birchall Estate which had been the subject of extensive open-cast activities. By way of the Environment Act 2021 any development on the property must achieve a biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10% on its pre-development status.

The Gateway at PEAK will be an international standard tourist destination providing a basecamp and a gateway into the 550 square mile Peak District National Park.

Like a ski resort the PEAK Resort will be built around a carless mobility service, not in this case to mountains and skiing, but into the Peaks for biking and hiking, for nature, heritage, sport and culture. The commercial village will comprise of experiential retail, locally sourced dining and unique spaces for events, artisan craft and learning experiences.

Gateway @PEAK location

John Milligan, CEO of Peak Gateway Properties and Chairman of Milligan said: “It used to be that an iconic building was one that stood out from its surroundings. The Gateway will be iconic, but we’re setting a new standard for what that means. Here buildings will integrate with their surroundings and work to enhance biodiversity beyond what will be mandated.

“We want to attract a discerning visitor, who cares about the protection of the UK’s original National Park and wants to enjoy the wellbeing benefits that nature and being in the outdoors, for either leisure or sport, can provide. A wide range of experiential retail brands with a unique proposition centred on nature and the outdoors will help create the destination.

“The travel hub is central to the Gateway’s proposition, allowing visitors to transition into electric or hydrogen vehicles for onward exploration of the Park, its stunning landscapes and thousands of activities and attractions. This is a way to expand access to the park and support more destinations in a low impact way. Currently 85% of visitors travel into the Park by car which is not sustainable. Last year we ran the first trial for the travel hub alongside Toyota and other local partners. The technology operated on a 40% regenerative energy basis which is fantastic. The trial stakeholders and users endorsed the urgent requirement for this sort of service – when it’s up and running we hope it will be an exemplar for other hubs around the Park and for other National Parks in the UK to follow.”

Gavin Henderson, Principal Director at Stanton Williams, said: “We are delighted to be working with PEAK Gateway Properties to realise their ambitious vision for this exceptional site. The Gateway will be a unique destination designed as a cohesive group of buildings integrated into the landscape. The scheme embraces the principles of the circular economy and uses highly sustainable, durable materials including local stone and timber. As well as regenerating a former open-cast mine, it supports natural ecosystems through habitat protection and enhancement, while connecting people with nature and encouraging active and low-carbon travel to and within the Peak District.”

Rupert Carr, a founder shareholder in Birchall Properties, the landowner, and a director of PEAK Gateway Properties said; “The planning consents for PEAK Gateway Resort were implemented and safeguarded in 2016. We are very pleased to be moving forward again after surviving the challenges of Brexit and COVID.

“The realisation of Gateway fulfils our long-held ambition to showcase regenerative enterprise through land reclamation, a low carbon build and significant local employment creation.

“It is particularly pleasing to be a first mover in respect of offering tourists a zero carbon, carless mobility service to the attractions and landscapes of the UK’s first national park and to the medieval market town of Chesterfield.”

The Gateway’s zero carbon mobility service and its related infrastructure are critical to the delivery of this £300m investment programme into the visitor economy. The intention is to emulate the success of an international ski resort by providing hospitality and mobility from the outside of a national park. The Gateway, phase one of the PEAK Gateway Resort, represents a £150m capital investment and over 1,000 jobs, secured through a ‘green economy’ skills academy.

Section 73 and Reserved Matters Applications relating to the consented planning approvals will be submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council early Autumn.

Birchall Properties supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

The Gateway @PEAK Bird's Eye View

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

New Chester’s drive-thru fish and chip shop opens at Markham Vale

A Chesterfield restaurant and takeaway, which has received rave reviews and awards for its fish and chips over the last decade has completed the opening of a 2nd branch.

Chester’s, which has been based on Sheffield Road since 2012, has now opened a new eatery at Markham Vale, just off Junction 29a of the M1 motorway.

The new branch boasts a drive-thru capability, meaning those passing through on the motorway and around the Chesterfield and Bolsover area can get their favourite dishes conveniently while on-the-go.

Owner, Chris Ioannides commented: “We are so proud and relieved that we have finally got the new branch open.

“It’s been a tough couple of years, from aspects like not being able to get energy to the property, or the extreme price increases we have had to endure since covid.

“We can finally stand from across the road and feel proud. You can expect to see nearly all your favourite dishes that are served from our Sheffield road branch, from our amazing fish to our homemade burger.”

Chris also spoke with fondness about being based in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, telling us he is pleased to have made his latest investment in the area: “We love Chesterfield, and since our first launch at the beginning of 2012, we now know most of our customers by name!”

“It’s not just a business for us, we want to be a part of the town and its people. Many of our customers are like family. We named our breakfast dish on our new menu after a close neighbour to our Sheffield road branch, who made us serve it on our menu, Alf’s breakfast!”

“Sadly he passed, but the memory will always be with us and he will always be part of the making of Chesters. We always try to support local suppliers and businesses on our journey.

Speaking to other would-be entrepreneurs in Chesterfield, Chris added: “Our advice is if you have a business plan, work hard at it, never give up, use local businesses when you can and don’t let little things get you down on the way.”

Find out why Chesterfield is the perfect place to get your business idea off the ground at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Chesters Markham Vale

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