Have your say on ambitious regeneration plans for Chesterfield
People are being encouraged to have their say on ambitious plans to transform the area between the town centre and Chesterfield Train Station – creating a vibrant gateway to North Derbyshire and setting out potential sites to create around 850 new jobs.
The HS2 Station Master Plan was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 2 February and will now be put out for public consultation. Residents, businesses, train passengers and visitors to the town can have their say between 8 February and 8 March.
The proposals – which can be viewed in an innovative virtual exhibition – set out a vision for the future development of the area and are also designed to make the most of the once-in-a-generation plans for a High Speed Rail (HS2) link at Chesterfield.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Despite the challenging economic times posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Chesterfield is not standing still and we’re pressing ahead with our £1 billion growth programme – carving out a prosperous future for our borough, while creating jobs and homes for local people.
“Our HS2 Station Master Plan is a key element of this work and we’re now asking for local people, businesses, train passengers and visitors to give us their views to help shape the future of our town.
“We want to create a vibrant gateway to North Derbyshire and the Peak District, to better connect this key site to our town centre, and to bring unused and underused land back to life for the benefit of local people. The proposals also have sustainability at their heart – setting out infrastructure improvements to support cycling, walking and better access for public transport.”
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in place, people are being invited to take part in a virtual consultation, with an online exhibition setting out the key proposals. They include:
- Establishing the principle of new development plots to accommodate a mix of uses with the potential to generate a minimum of approximately 850 jobs
- A new station link road (a through route) between Brimington Road and Hollis Lane with improved public transport access
- Closure of the A61 on-slip road
- A new public ‘boulevard’ for pedestrians and cyclists (including segregated cycle lanes) leading from the station to Corporation Street
- Replacement of the existing A61 footbridge between the station area and Corporation Street with a new wider bridge, including a segregated cycle route.
- Suggested changes to Corporation Street to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists whilst retaining vehicle access to businesses.
- A ‘transport hub’ including a multi-storey car park (with around 550 bays) and charging points for electric vehicles
- A cycle hub with e-bike hire and secure cycle parking
- An overall layout that has the potential for a higher quality of natural habitats including more tree planting
- A new station forecourt to better accommodate buses, coaches, taxis and a drop off/collection point.
- A continuous cycle link from Hollis Lane area through to Crow Lane
Councillor Gilby added: “Our proposals also seek to harness the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented to our region by the HS2 project – a chance to cement Chesterfield’s position as a thriving place to invest and do business.
“But it’s important to note that this plan can be delivered ahead of – and independently to – the national project if needed.
“This is a flagship plan for our borough’s future, and we’re keen to hear the views of as many people as possible. Their input will help shape the final version of the Master Plan, which will be used to drive forward regeneration in the town centre.”
Funding for regeneration at and around the station and the preparation of a masterplan has been obtained by Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council through both the Sheffield City Region (SCR) and East Midlands (D2N2) Local Economic Partnerships.
Visit www.chesterfield.gov.uk/HS2-station-master-plan to find out more and access the consultation, which is being run by consultants AECOM. Online materials include a 3D ‘fly-through’ video of how the site could look. (Please note, the virtual exhibition cannot be accessed until the consultation opens on Monday 8 February).
Hard copies of the documents can also be requested and will be provided in a Covid-safe way – please call 01246 959707.
