A revised Northern Gateway scheme has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council to improve the town’s northern entrance and create 489 jobs.

The new plan will see:

• A major refurbishment of Saltergate multi-storey car park, which will see it modernised and the number of spaces increase from 408 to 529
• A business enterprise centre built on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park for start-up and small and medium sized businesses
• Environmental and street improvements to Elder Way and part of Knifesmithgate, including wider pavements to create a terrace area

The £19.9 million revised project also includes the £10.5 million redevelopment of the Co-op store by Central England Co-operative and their partners Jomast Developments.

They already have planning permission for a leisure scheme that will include:

• Six ground floor restaurants
• A hotel on the first and second floors
• A health and fitness centre in the basement

Premier Inn and Beefeater are two of the companies that will occupy the site.

The revised Northern Gateway project will be funded by a Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund grant of £5.83 million and £3.5 million from Chesterfield Borough Council, with the Co-op redevelopment being paid for by the private sector.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We had to completely rethink our original plans for the Northern Gateway after the closure of the Co-op building and the change in the economy which meant that large food retailers were no longer looking to build large new stores.

“But by working with the owners and developers of the Co-op building we are now able to deliver the restaurant and leisure aspects of the original scheme.

“At the same time the Saltergate multi-storey car park is reaching the end of its working life and has to be refurbished.

“By incorporating this in to the scheme we can deliver a brighter and modern secure parking location that will meet the needs of shoppers, commuters, visitors and the hotel and restaurant users of the redeveloped Co-op store site.

“The addition of the enterprise centre to the plans enables us to meet the growing demand for business space in the town. Having a site like this in a town centre location will also support the existing town centre economy.

“The revised project is another example of how Chesterfield can benefit from gaining funding from the Sheffield City Region to deliver projects that will create jobs in Derbyshire.”

Work on Saltergate multi-storey car park is due to start this November and to be completed in summer 2017. The environmental improvements to Elder Way and Knifesmithgate will take place during 2017. Work on the enterprise centre is expected to begin in summer 2018 and be completed by summer 2019, subject to planning permission being given.

A rethink of the original plans for the Northern Gateway began last year after it became clear that no large food retailer could be attracted to the site, which was necessary to make the rest of the scheme viable.

The original plan also included proposals for town centre housing. While this is not in the revised plan, it remains an option for the future.

Councillor Burrows added: “The new parts of the revised scheme are in our hands which mean that we can directly control the delivery of them.

“We want to see more housing in the town centre area but I think it is important that we press on with the revised plan first and then look at that again once this work is well underway. But in is still very much a desire of ours to deliver more town centre housing.”

Sheffield City Region has already approved a £5.83 million grant in principle for the revised scheme but a full business case can now be submitted, which is required to get the final sign off for the funding to be paid.

Great Bear Distribution is the latest and largest business to get keys to new premises at the regions flagship regeneration site leading the way for up to 400 new jobs.

The firm’s new 480,000 square feet distribution centre has taken eight months to build and is made up of enough concrete to fill 11 average size houses and enough steel to stretch 1,000 metres above Mount Everest.

Now work to kit out the inside of the building will begin and the official opening at the site located off junction 29A of the M1 motorway is expected to be in December this year.

Established in 1994, the Chester-based firm operates in 30 locations nationwide providing warehousing and distribution for clients such as PZ Cussons, BMW, and Unilever.

Glenn Lindfield, CEO of Great Bear Distribution, said:

“We are extremely pleased with how quickly Henry Boot Developments and Bowmer & Kirkland have been able to deliver our new 480,000 square feet distribution facility at Markham Vale.

“The bespoke unit will add a significant amount of additional capacity to the Great Bear network and with the immediate access to the UK motorway system, Markham Vale will provide us with an advantage to servicing our clients up and down the country.”

Heage-based construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland was awarded a £16.2m contract to oversee the project by Henry Boot Developments.

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

“We’re delighted to welcome Great Bear Distribution to Markham’s growing network of businesses and pleased they chose the site for their expansion which is set to create up to 400 new jobs.

“Markham provides great opportunities for small, medium and large businesses to expand or relocate so please get in touch to find out what’s available for your company.”

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

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said:

“We are extremely pleased to announce the completion of our largest unit on Markham Vale.

“This unit will become Great Bear’s flagship distribution centre in the UK and will act as a vital hub within the company’s portfolio.

“Markham Vale has become a well-established and successful development. It is a central UK distribution hub and Great Bear are an excellent addition to its occupiers.”

Chesterfield manufacturer Krantech Holdings Ltd recently opened their new £2.1 million factory.  The new building complements the company’s existing medium/heavy fabrication workshop.

Krantech employs 50 people and they were awarded a Regional Growth Fund  grant from Sheffield City Region of £300K for the 10,000 square foot new CNC factory based at Colliery Close in Staveley, Chesterfield.

Formally opening the event, Mel Myronko CEO spoke of how the development will open up opportunities in new markets as well as supporting their existing in-house machining requirements.

Mel said “It’s been hard work and one of the largest financial commitments of my whole working life, but I’m ecstatic to finally see the hard work and persistence pays off”.

Martin Wright, Director of Supply Chain at OneSubsea who formally opened the facility said “It is truly an honour to open Krantech’s new CNC facility which will clearly enhance their capabilities and support our ongoing relationship.

Year 9 and 10 students from The Bolsover School attended the opening to learn about manufacturing.  Mrs Crossley from The Bolsover School said “It is a great opportunity for the students to learn more about the world of work and in particular engineering.”

Guests that attended the the official opening, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a tour of the new facility.

Images: Andrew Lyons Photography

Businesses across the Sheffield City Region are calling for stability, clarity and action from Government as the UK navigates its withdrawal from the UK.

They made the call at a meeting in Chesterfield, which was held to check the mood of local businesses following the outcome of the EU Referendum.  More than 80 local business leaders attended the event, which took place at Ringwood Hall.

The event was facilitated by East Midlands Chamber and sponsored by RBS, in partnership with the Barnsley and Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Chambers of Commerce and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

It was aimed at giving business leaders the chance to talk openly about concerns they have following the outcome of the EU Referendum.

Focusing on stability and investment in the SCR economy, a panel featuring Scott Knowles – the Chamber’s Chief Executive, Nigel Brewster – Vice-Chair of Sheffield City Region LEP, John Burrows – Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Martin McKervey – of Nabarro and Steve Roberts – Director of Fripp Design and Research, talked about the immediate impacts on the regional economy of the vote to leave.

Also on the agenda was a panel discussion on the importance to business of superfast broadband and the progress of the Government’s programme to roll it out across the country, along with a consultation on devolution, with a focus on the Sheffield City Region.

Chris Hobson, the Chamber’s Director of Policy, said:-

“Businesses at the event made clear that what they want to see is stability, clarity and action from Government, which must work to bring stability to markets, clarity on the timetable for changes to our relationship with Europe, and action on the many issues that matter for growth.

“While nothing will change in the immediate term, this event made clear that businesses across the Sheffield City Region want speedy clarity around fundamental issues such as the future trade deals the UK will seek, the type of legislative framework that may be introduced and the broader vision for a successful UK outside of the EU.

“And given the disconnect between the way London voted in the referendum compared with other parts of the UK, including the Sheffield City Region, there is a general consensus that devolution to our region should be viewed as a huge opportunity.

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