Development

More new jobs to be created at Markham Vale

3rd June 2015

A further 20 new jobs are set to be created in Chesterfield as Meter Provida prepare to move to Markham Vale.

Work has already started to build a new 40,000 square feet unit for the firm which supplies gas, water and electric metering products and services for home, commercial and industrial use nationwide for suppliers such as British Gas.

Tim Houtby, managing director at Meter Provida said:

“We are very excited to move to Markham Vale. We’re seeing a significant increase in interest in the services and products we supply as the UK moves closer to the nationwide Smart Meter Rollout, and our bigger premises will help us to attract more business by increasing our product range which means creating more jobs.

“Location was an important factor for us when looking for a new base. We needed good access to major transport routes but wanted to stay local to minimise disruption for our existing staff, making Markham Vale the perfect choice.”

Meter Provida which is based at Broombank Business Park in Chesterfield is expected to open new premises at Markham in November this year.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:

“This is more good news for Markham having just signed a ground-breaking deal with Great Bear Distribution which will bring 400 jobs to the site next year.

“We look forward to Meter Provida joining our growing business community at Markham Vale which continues to flourish with a steady stream of enquiries from new businesses looking to relocate or expand.”

The firm’s new premises have been designed and are being built by our private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.

Ben Ward, Henry Boot’s regional director, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Meter Provida to Markham Vale. The interest generated and current activity here at Markham Vale is phenomenal, the past 12 months really have been quite remarkable with seven major deals taking place.

“In addition to Meter Provida, we recently welcomed AW Repairs, Holdsworth Foods, Ready Egg and Great Bear Distribution, which is due to start on site in autumn 2015. We’re also underway with a new building for Inspirepac, which will be ready for occupation this summer and the completion of new premises for Gould Alloys is imminent.”

Meter Provida are the latest in a line of companies to acquire premises on the regeneration site off junction 29A of the M1. Existing occupiers include:

AW Repair Group
MSE Hiller
Squadron Medical
Industrial Ancillaries
Andrew Page
Holdsworth Foods
Ready Egg Products
Euro Garages.

Markham Vale is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone developments

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chambers Join Forces to Press Chancellor on HS2

3rd June 2015

Chambers of Commerce representing more than 11,000 businesses in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East have today written a joint letter to the Treasury, urging Chancellor George Osborne to bring forward the confirmation and delivery of the Eastern Leg of HS2.

The letter, which has been signed by the Presidents and Chief Executives of the chambers for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, Doncaster, Sheffield, the North East and Bradford, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire, says it’s imperative that Government confirms the route as quickly as possible and accelerates its delivery plans.

It refers to research undertaken by professional services firm KPMG in 2013, which suggested the proposed leg, linking Birmingham with Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield and then further north through a direct connection to the East Coast Main Line, has the potential to deliver a GDP impact of £4.1bn for the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

The Chancellor was in Derby on Monday, where he unveiled his vision to make the Midlands an ‘Engine for Growth’ in the UK. He said that HS2 is “the great engineering project of our age and it will transform the economic geography of our country.”

He also said that it will “bring massive benefits to the Midlands by way of new jobs, enhanced connectivity, capacity and regeneration.”

And Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin yesterday (2 Jun) said that the HS2 project will begin within two years and will be constructed in full, after the general election had delivered a “massive vote of confidence” in the scheme.

The areas along the proposed Eastern Leg of HS2 are already home to some of the UK’s most dynamic and innovative manufacturing and engineering firms, and also boast a strong professional services sector in their cities, a thriving construction sector and a burgeoning creative industries sector, among others.

The letter states that improving links between these businesses will allow them to exploit the benefits of agglomeration, boost success in these key sectors and help to forge an economy that is truly balanced, both geographically and sectorally.

The increased productivity and competitiveness which the HS2 Eastern Leg will facilitate could also bolster growth locally and support long-term international success.

Chris Hobson, Head of Information and Representation at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “HS2 is the single-biggest transformational transport infrastructure project in generations and represents a huge opportunity for businesses in the East Midlands. It will bring the capacity and connectivity that will help underpin the region’s future success, so it must deliver for the whole region.

“As representatives of more than 11,000 businesses along the proposed Eastern Leg, we are calling on the Chancellor to proceed to delivery of HS2 without delay, ensuring the legal framework is completed as soon as possible and the groundwork is done to enable the concurrent development of the Eastern and Western Legs of Phase 2.

“The creation of a new economic powerhouse in the north, to complement the well-established one in the south, places further emphasis on ensuring north-to-south connectivity for this region, the ‘Engine for Growth’ which provides the UK with its manufacturing spine.

“However, uncertainty kills confidence. It is imperative that Government confirms the route as soon as possible and that delivery plans are accelerated to maximise the business benefits which come with creating a national rail network that can compete with the best in the world and create the opportunities needed for long term economic growth.”

Read the HS2 Chamber letter

Posted in Business, Development

Residents to choose artwork for Chesterfield sports centre

1st June 2015

Chesterfield residents can have their say on the artwork which will grace the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.
There are three options of the artwork which will be outside the new Chesterfield Borough Council facility, which is currently under construction.
The three options are:

• Heartbeat – designed by Nottinghamshire sculptor Michael Johnson. The design shows an image of a regular heartbeat symbolising wellbeing and exercise. At 12 metres long and 2.8 metres high, the design would be made of stainless steel with mosaic and bronze elements.

• Wave – designed by Matlock sculptor Stuart Marsh, showing a wave representing grace, strength and determination. The design would be 2.2 metres long and 1.8 metres high and made of stone from the Peak District.

• Jump – by West Midlands based artist Mick Thacker. This is a sculpture of a time lapse motion of the human figure jumping. The design represents the beauty of movement and the joy of life itself.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning said: “We are keen for residents to have their say on which of these three pieces of art will be at the entrance to the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

“As a council, we have a policy that one per cent of the money spent on new developments must be spent on public artwork, this has led to some of the well-known pieces of art in the borough, including the Growth sculpture at Hornsbridge and the Spirit of Saltergate celebrating Chesterfield FC.
The consultation is available to complete online from Monday 1 June to Friday 12 June from a link on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk.

People can also see the designs and vote for their favourite design at the existing Queen’s Park Sports Centre on Boythorpe Road, the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley, Chesterfield College and the council’s Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square.

The new Queen’s Park Sports Centre is currently being built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe.
The £11.25 million project is paid for by £6.725 million from Chesterfield Borough Council, £2.5 million from Chesterfield College, as part of a dual use agreement, £2 million from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund and £25,000 from Squash England. Read about the development

The new centre will open in early 2016. The existing centre on Boythorpe Road will remain open until the new one is complete.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Uncategorised

New Destination Chesterfield Board Member Appointed for Manufacturing Sector

21st April 2015

Ivan Fomin, Managing Director of the leading supplier of centrifuges to the water and food industries, MSE Hiller, is the newest addition to the Destination Chesterfield board.

Ivan replaces James Brand of United Cast Bar as the board member responsible for manufacturing and engineering in the Borough. James has stepped down from the board due to increasing work commitments however will continue in his role as the chair of the popular Manufacturing Forum.

Ivan and the company have taken an active role in manufacturing initiatives organised by Destination Chesterfield, including last year’s successful Made in Chesterfield Week where schools were invited to tour the firm’s Markham Vale £3million purpose-built premises.

Ivan brings more than 35 years’ experience to his board member role. Delighted to join the board, he said: “Destination Chesterfield is a conduit for joining together the many companies and organisations in Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering sector, be they employers, training providers, or young people still at school and looking for direction. It is by joining these groups together successfully that we can help further improve the manufacturing sector in the town.”

He is particularly passionate about apprenticeships within the sector, explaining: “For me manufacturing is the lifeblood of the economy, feeding other sectors such as retail and leisure. It is vitally important that we maintain Chesterfield’s manufacturing tradition and capability, and that will be my broad focus in my role on the Destination Chesterfield Board.

“I have been an employer in Chesterfield for 25 years and I have always made a point of offering apprenticeships. To this day many of my early apprentices are still working with me after two decades.”

MSE Hiller, which has been based in Chesterfield since 2001, supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries throughout the UK. Currently no other company offers the service and products which they do and, as a result, is very much in demand.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ivan to the board although sad that James Brand has left. We thank him for all he has done and will continue to do as both a Chesterfield Champion and a thriving manufacturing business in the town.

“MSE Hiller is a great example of a local company that is establishing the town as an engineering specialist. Ivan brings much personal experience in the sector as both an employee and an employer and is very clear about how he wants it and Chesterfield to develop. We are all very much looking forward to working with him.”

Ivan Fomin joins the existing members of the Board, which include:

Peter Swallow – Chair (Managing Director of Bolterstone Group PLC)
John Burrows – Vice Chair (Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council)
Huw Bowen (Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council)
Stuart Cutforth (Principal of Chesterfield College)
George Cowcher (Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber)
Gavin Boyle (CEO of Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust)
Graeme Huston (Editor of the Derbyshire Times)
Vittorio Risorto (Owner of Calabria Restaurant)
Steven Smith (Relationship Director at Natwest Bank, Chesterfield)

Destination Chesterfield is helping to improve the economic prosperity of the town through a campaign to promote Chesterfield. This approach to promoting the town sees the local business community playing a central role in its success by leading an independent board of Directors for Destination Chesterfield, and businesses pledging their support to become Chesterfield Champions.

MSE Hiller will be taking part in Made in Chesterfield throughout November 2015. Made in Chesterfield is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield and is designed to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s thriving manufacturing sector and its associated industries to students, raising awareness of the employment opportunities within it as well as the number of varied and exciting roles.

To find out more about Destination Chesterfield visit www.chesterfield.co.uk. Or if you are interested in becoming involved in Made in Chesterfield, please contact Dom Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Made in Chesterfield

Ground-Breaking Markham Deal Set to Bring 400 Jobs

21st April 2015

Up to 400 new jobs are set to be created at a Chesterfield regeneration site with the opening of a new distribution centre at Markham Vale.

Chester-based firm Great Bear Distribution will move into a purpose-built warehouse and offices − Markham’s biggest development to date bringing the largest number of jobs in a single development.

Established in 1994, Great Bear Distribution operates in 30 locations nationwide providing warehousing and distribution for clients such as Sainsbury’s, BMW, and Unilever.

Glenn Lindfield, CEO of Great Bear Distribution said:

“Bringing our business to Markham Vale is a positive step forward for our company.

“The site is exactly what we’ve been looking for with tailor-made facilities in a prime location just off Junction 29A of the M1 motorway, providing easy access to our customers and other bases across the UK.

“We look forward to becoming part of Markham’s growing network of companies.”

Work to build the 479,285 square feet development is expected to start in autumn this year, and reach completion in spring 2016.

The premises are situated next to Markham Vale’s Environment Centre and will be built by our private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments on the site off Junction 29A of the M1 motorway.

Peter Storey, head of Markham Vale said:

“Great Bear Distribution will be a real feather in Markham’s cap bringing 400 jobs which is great news for the Derbyshire economy.

“Markham’s fantastic transport links next to the M1 make the perfect choice for a wide range of businesses and we look forward to welcoming even more companies to the site this year and in the future.”

Existing occupiers at Markham Vale include, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.

Ben Ward at Henry Boot Developments said:

“We are delighted to secure such a ground-breaking deal with Great Bear Distribution.

“This last year has been exceptional for Markham Vale with six major deals and a huge amount of development activity.

“We have worked very closely with Great Bear Distribution in designing this bespoke facility to meet their exact requirements and many of the features are at the forefront of technology.”

The regeneration site is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone Developments with the final phase, which is a further 100 acres currently being prepared for development using a £14.2m Government grant awarded through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Videos show latest progress at Markham Vale

13th April 2015

Work to develop a Chesterfield regeneration site at Markham Vale is gathering pace.

Derbyshire County Council have been filming the progress of two of their latest developments, inspirepac and Gould Alloys.

The first development is a 50,000 square feet building for Chesterfield-based metal distributors Gould Alloys which is due to be completed in April.

And work to build a 100,250 square feet printing factory and office building for Derbyshire-based company inspirepac is due to be completed in May.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

New Cancer Unit to be Built In Chesterfield

9th April 2015

Plans for a brand new state-of-the-art cancer centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital have been given the go-ahead sparking a £2.5million fundraising appeal by Macmillan.

The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre is a joint venture between Macmillan and the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to bring vital cancer treatment, care and support together in one purpose built facility.

This exciting new £8.9 million development, due to open in Autumn 2016, will mean that more people with cancer in North Derbyshire will be able to access joined up services closer to home.

The Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has committed £6.4 million of the total cost. Macmillan has launched a fundraising appeal for the remaining £2.5 million needed.

Every year, more than 1500 people in North and North East Derbyshire are told they have cancer and as many as 9,000 people receive cancer care in North and North East Derbyshire at any one time.

Currently cancer care and treatment is given from different clinics across the Chesterfield Royal hospital site, and the chemotherapy unit is no longer large enough for the number of patients it sees. There is also only a limited information service.

The new centre will change all that – enabling specialist teams to provide a range of appointments in one place – including all out-patient chemotherapy and clinical haematology. There will be an increase from 8 to 25 chemotherapy chairs and 2 beds. The centre will also include a specialist Macmillan information and support service which will offer cancer information, benefits advice, emotional support and also signpost patients to other local services such as support groups.

The new centre will benefit patients such as James Colhoun, 73, from Bakewell, who was diagnosed with a form of leukaemia called myelodysplastic syndrome in July 2013.

The condition cannot be cured so James receives ongoing chemotherapy and haematology treatment at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The new centre will mean James will be able to access all the cancer services he needs under one roof, reducing delays and repeat visits to the hospital.

James said: “Although my condition cannot be cured, with chemotherapy, it can be contained. However, this does mean a large portion of my time is spent in hospital receiving treatment. I have to go to the hospital seven times a month to have treatment across 4 different hospital departments which are at opposite ends of the hospital. It can be quite stressful having to travel around different departments for treatment and can result in a huge amount of time being wasted.

“Being able to have my treatment in one place so I don’t have to visit lots of different departments will make things a lot easier for both me and the staff, and reduce delays. The nurses and specialists do a brilliant job but they are let down by the situation they are in, which is not their fault and should be sorted out.”

Jane Rudge, Senior Macmillan Development Manager, commented: “This is a vital new centre for the people of North Derbyshire. Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the toughest things that anyone can face and the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre will give local people the very best in treatment and support. But we won’t be able to do this without the generosity of local people.”

Chief executive at the Royal, Gavin Boyle said: “This is a really exciting development for the hospital, our patients and the local community. By working in partnership with Macmillan we will create a really special cancer centre that will absolutely enhance the fantastic work our cancer teams do. It’s a massive ask but I’m convinced people will be behind the plans and fundraising campaign.”

For information about the new centre, how to make a donation or for details on how you could get involved in supporting the Appeal, visit macmillan.org.uk/chesterfieldappeal, call 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

AW Repair Group Opens at Markham Vale Bringing More Jobs to Chesterfield

8th April 2015

A vehicle accident repair centre has opened up its new state-of-the-art bodyshop at a Chesterfield regeneration site bringing 14 new jobs.

AW Repair Group, which provides a range of crash repair services, opened its fourth bodyshop at Markham Vale this month in a £450,000 expansion.

The firm’s new premises just off junction 29A of the M1, adds to their existing sites in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire.

Managing Director of AW Repair Group, Andrew Walsh said:

“Markham Vale fitted perfectly with the group’s expansion plans being located just off the M1. We are excited to be opening up job opportunities in the surrounding areas and looking forward to working with the local community.”

AW Repair Group work in partnership with prestige manufacturers such as Land Rover, Jaguar and the Volkswagen Group, and currently employs 85 people across three sites.

A further 14 jobs have been created at the Markham site, 12 of which have been filled and two will be advertised shortly.

Peter Storey, Head of Markham Employment Growth Zone at Markham Vale said:

“AW Repair Group is the latest in a line of companies signing up to move in at Markham, bringing more jobs to the area.”Markham Vale continues to thrive and plays a key role in achieving the council’s long-term vision of building a strong economy in Derbyshire that creates jobs and provides a bright future for our young people.”

The firm’s 15,000 sq. ft. bodyshop was designed by our private sector developer, Henry Boot Ltd as part of the Waterloo Court building.

Ben Ward from Henry Boot Developments commented:

“We are delighted to welcome AW Repair Group to Markham Vale. The recent flurry of successful deals makes Markham Vale one of the most active enterprise zones in the UK.”We recently welcomed Ready Egg and Euro Garages, delivered additional space for Holdsworth Foods and are currently underway with significant new buildings for Gould Alloys and inspirepac for occupation this summer.”

Existing occupiers at Markham Vale include MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.

The regeneration site is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone developments and this latest development is being funded using a £14.2m Government grant awarded through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

£1bn of Investment Hailed a ‘Game Changer’ for Chesterfield

26th March 2015

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, has described the £1 billion of developments currently happening in the town as a ‘real game changer’.

His comments came at the recent annual Celebrate Chesterfield event, organised by the town’s inward investment campaign Destination Chesterfield. Held at the Winding Wheel (25 March) the packed event saw more than 220 business leaders gather to learn about plans for the town.

The £1 billion investment in the local economy includes Chesterfield’s £400 million Peak Resorts, £320 million Chesterfield Waterside, £88 million Markham Vale and £55 million Northern Gateway developments.

Peak Resorts was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to the US in January. Mr Bowen added: “We have a lot to look forward to with over £1 billion of investment coming into the town thanks to big projects like Chesterfield Waterside and Peak Resorts.

“Peak Resorts will be one of the UK’s flagship tourist attractions that will put Chesterfield on the map. Not only will it provide more than 1,000 jobs, but its hub and spoke model will encourage thousands of guests to disperse into the town centre economy every week and bring real value to our restaurant, retail and leisure businesses.”

Markham Vale – part of which sits within Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s Enterprise Zone – has also secured a further £7.6 million of funding, enabling additional areas to be opened up for development.

The funding follows £14 million of Government money last year which enabled Markham Vale to expand its business park plans by 81 acres, widen Erin Road, put in place utility infrastructure and construct 100,000 square feet of new industrial buildings. When complete the site will have capacity to bring an estimated 2,100 jobs to the town by 2022.

Further investment will also be seen within the town in 2015 as £8.6 million of funding has been secured from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership for Northern Gateway.

There are also plans to demolish and develop the former Royal Mail multi-storey car park on West Bars roundabout and work will also begin on the University of Derby’s Chesterfield campus later in July with the site set to open in summer 2016.

At the event Mr Bowen also highlighted the concept of town centre living as being central to Chesterfield’s Masterplan to drive footfall and create a thriving day and night time economy.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Chesterfield used to be a heavy industry town but we are now having our modern awakening. We punch well above our weight here in Chesterfield and the news that over the next few years the town will benefit from £1 billion of investment is very exciting. We are now a modern town thanks to a lot of hard work from our partnerships with Destination Chesterfield, and local businesses and also through our ability to access funding from the Sheffield City Region and D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnerships.

“As council leader I am very proud of the work we have done in regenerating the area. Over the coming years we want to work towards getting life back into the town after 6pm by investing in town centre residential and leisure facilities so that we can compete with the offerings of neighbouring cities.”

At the event, guests also welcomed news that the town’s marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield, which has been running since 2011, will continue until 2017.

Four areas of activity in the 2015 Destination Chesterfield plan include the launch of a new chesterfield.co.uk website, the Retail Awards, Food and Drink Awards and a month-long repeat of last year’s week-long festival of manufacturing, Made in Chesterfield, in November.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “The project is very much business-led. The plans and campaigns we develop are driven by the business community. A recent audit recognised the many strengths of the Destination Chesterfield projects, but specifically noted the success of the Chesterfield Champions network in disseminating information, lobbying and working together to trade locally. The Chesterfield Champions Scheme has gone from strength-to-strength and now has more than 160 local organisations contributing to the promotion of the town.”

The Celebrate Chesterfield event was held in association with headline sponsors Henry Boots Developments at Markham Vale and Corrugated Case Company.

To keep up to date with developments in Chesterfield, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Manufacturer to Expand

23rd March 2015

Chesterfield manufacturer Krantech Holdings Ltd has been awarded a Regional Growth Fund (RGF) grant of £300K for a £1.5 million investment in a 10,000 square foot new factory based at Colliery Close in Staveley, Chesterfield. The state-of-the-art facility’s target completion date is March 2016.

The funding will see Krantech grow from 50 employees with the creation of 15 new jobs and the new manufacturing unit will compliment the company’s existing medium/heavy fabrication workshop.

The new building will meet additional requirements for precision CNC machining and large machining capacities in the Subsea oil and gas market sector and also new services, such as pressure testing and alloy steel exotic welding.

Mel Myronko, CEO at Krantech Holding Ltd said:-

“The RGF grant has enabled us to take the company to the next phase of development. It will enable us employ a number of local people and continue with our commitment to apprenticeships”.

“The new manufacturing unit will be state of the art and set up with the “paramount safety first” attitude pre-requisite, a necessity when working in the Oil/Gas sector. Meaning, Krantech Holdings Ltd will be well equipped in both H&S and technical ability to deliver on any specification from MoD, Marine, Aerospace and Track/Rail sectors, as well as general machining.”

“All this has been achieved with the assistance of Chesterfield Borough Council.”

Due to the expansion Krantech Holdings Ltd will also be expanding into new market sectors away from the oil and gas market sector, with a vision to provide services to local companies.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Barrow Hill to Benefit from £4.5m Facelift

23rd March 2015

A £4.5m improvement programme has been agreed for the London Boroughs estate at Barrow Hill.

The work, which was approved by Chesterfield Borough Council last week, will include new roads for better access, improved car parking and green spaces and new footpaths and shared courtyards.

The changes follow extensive consultations held in July and November last year to find out would make life better for residents and visitors.

Councillor Jim McManus, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Housing, said: “If you were designing the London Boroughs estate from scratch today there is no way you would build it as it is now.

“At the time the architects would not have foreseen the huge growth of car usage and the issues this creates for parking.

“You would also want to plan the links between roads, including the network of footpaths across the estate, in a much more logical way. At the moment it is a common site to see delivery drivers unable to find the address they are looking for.

“While we cannot change everything we believe that the proposals suggested meet the needs that residents identified in the public consultation process and will improve life in many ways for everyone living on the estate.”

A tender process will take place later this year to appoint a contractor to carry out the work.

The improvement programme is set to begin in January 2016 and should be completed by March 2017.

Further details can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/Barrow-Hill-environmental-works-1498.html

The council’s cabinet has also approved plans to start a public consultation later this year to find out what improvements people living on the Holme Hall estate would like to see.

These schemes are the start of a planned programme of improvements for estates across the borough over the coming years.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Visiting