Inspire Design’s Lee Barnes takes the reigns for Clay Cross Town Board

17th October 2023

The Clay Cross Town Board has announced the appointment of Lee Barnes to the position of Chair.

The Managing Director of Clay Cross-based Inspire Design Group, Lee is an existing Board Member and is one of several private sector representatives on the Board.

Lee will head all future Clay Cross Town Board meetings, which oversee the delivery and progress of the Clay Cross Town Deal.

Clay Cross residents can take comfort in knowing the future of their town is in capable hands. As a North East Derbyshire resident and Clay Cross business owner, Lee has a breadth of professional experience in revitalising urban areas and guiding multi-disciplinary teams, with a strong commitment to seeing the town thrive.

As Chair, Lee plans to take Clay Cross’ local business scene to new heights for its residents stating, “I’ve got a really interesting journey ahead of me as Chair. I aim to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to help breathe new life into Clay Cross.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to move the town forward together, bringing new job opportunities, and more places to eat and drink and spend leisure time. As a resident myself, I am passionate about getting the best offer for us and am excited to lead us into the next phase of the Town Deal.”

So far, projects announced as part of the Clay Cross Town Deal include the regeneration of the town’s high street, along with a refurbishment of the Sharley Park Leisure Centre, which will be renamed Clay Cross Active.

Lee is also a member of Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group, which aims to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

Another town in our area which has benefitted from town deal funding is Staveley. Find out more about the range of projects taking place in the town here.

For more information on why Chesterfield is an excellent location to invest in your business, head over to our Invest In Chesterfield page.

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

Inspire Design & Development’s Lee Barnes appointed to Clay Cross Town Deal board

16th January 2023

A board overseeing multi-million pound developments in Clay Cross has appointed Lee Barnes, Managing Director of Inspire Design & Development Ltd. to its board.

Last year, the Government announced that Clay Cross would receive £24.1m of funding to deliver a number of projects contained in the Clay Cross Town Investment Plan. In Clay Cross this means;

increasing the skills and productivity of the local workforce
improving access to a range of high quality jobs and training opportunities
improving the environmental quality of the town and town centre

The Clay Cross Town Investment Plan is focussed around three main areas:

Urban Regeneration – ensuring Clay Cross and town centre is a thriving place for people to live and work;
Skills and Infrastructure – supporting investment and the development of small business, creating opportunities for skills and training;
Connectivity – improving local transport links and improved digital connectivity.

Following a period of extensive consultation with residents and businesses of Clay Cross, ten exciting projects were drawn up to use these vital funds.

The Clay Cross Town Board will serve as an advisory function and will be the vehicle through which the vision and strategy for the Town will be defined. The board will produce a Town Investment Plan, which will inform the Town Deal proposals and include the amount of investment to be secured through the Towns Fund. The role of the Town Board is to:

Develop and agree an evidence-based Town Investment Plan
Develop a clear programme of interventions
Co-ordinate resources and influence stakeholders

The board is made up of local councillors, businesspeople and a range of leaders from local public and private sector organisations.

Speaking on his involvement in the Clay Cross Town Deal, Lee commented: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the Clay Cross Town Deal Board, as a local business owner I consider it a privilege to be able to use my knowledge and experience in regeneration to help shape an exciting new direction for the town.

“It’s my ambition that the benefits derived from the Town Deal funding create a sustainable enduring legacy for the benefit of future generations.”

Staveley is also one of the towns to benefit from Town Deal funding, which means a number of regeneration projects are taking place to benefit local people and increase living standards and job opportunities in the area. Find out more about the Staveley Town Deal here.

Inspire Design & Development Ltd. supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Clay Cross, Clay Cross Developments, Clay Cross Town Deal, Inspire Design and Development, Lee Barnes, North Derbyshire Business news, North Derbyshire Developments

Plans submitted for a range of new leisure facilities in North Wingfield

21st June 2022

Residents in North Wingfield could soon benefit from several new leisure facilities, with plans submitted to develop land off Williamthorpe Road.

Local developer, Inspire Design and Development is involved in the proposals, which include a pub, hotel, restaurant, wedding venue and nursery.

The proposal falls as part of one of the company’s existing projects in the area, a large development which already has outline approval for more than 500 houses between North Wingfield and Holmewood.

Inspire Design and Development’s role includes promoting the project, managing the design team and running the planning application. The plans will provide much needed leisure facilities in the area, particularly for local residents.

Calum Reford, Graduate Planner at Inspire Design and Development Ltd. commented: “The proposal seeks to create a bespoke character area to create a local landmark which will be in-keeping with the existing and future built environment.

“The development represents a significant social and economic benefit to the area and will deliver a hospitality offer, alongside supporting the new dwellings currently under construction.

“The proposals will also deliver employment opportunities for local people, providing access to a new career in a unique venue.

“This development can provide a statement building that frames the entrance to help establish a sense of place and provide a facility that the area can be genuinely proud of.”

The company has also stated that the design for the new leisure development is inspired by ‘traditional Derbyshire rural farm buildings’, with ‘a series of pitched roof pavilions and outdoor seating/eating areas with views towards Chesterfield and the Crooked Spire church.

Based in nearby Clay Cross, Inspire Design and Development has extensive experience in the planning, design and delivery of development projects.

Having successfully delivered high quality planning approvals, the firm ensures that each of the projects it undertakes is commercially robust, paving the way for excellent, efficient and exciting places for local people to live, work and play within their community.

The Senior Management team collectively has around 100 years of experience in the redevelopment of brownfield sites.

Inspire Design & Development Ltd. supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield developments, chesterfield news, Inspire Design and Development, North Wingfield, Williamthorpe Road