Development

Contractor appointed for new Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has approved the appointment of a contractor for the proposed new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

At their meeting this morning, cabinet members accepted a tender from Morgan Sindall to construct the proposed new centre to be built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe.

The deal will begin should the project receive planning permission when it goes before councillors on at the planning committee later this month

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “After a rigorous process, we have decided to appoint Morgan Sindall as contractors for the proposed new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

“Their bid provided the best deal in terms of cost and quality of work. Morgan Sindall is committed to creating opportunities to improve skills within local communities, including creating a number of apprenticeships, and using ‘Meet the Buyer’ events to provide opportunities for local companies to become involved in the project.

“The company also has a good track record in successfully delivering other leisure centre projects, including the Arc Leisure Centre in Matlock.

“We look forward to a close working relationship over the coming months as we progress with the design and build for the centre.”

Cabinet members also approved plans to apply for more than £1 million ofextra funding from Sport England to increase the facilities on offer at the new centre

The current plans for the centre include:

  • Six lane 25m long swimming pool
  • Learner pool with moveable floor and children’s fun water features
  • Café and social space
  • Midwifery centre
  • Six court sports hall
  • Village changing facilities with individual and family cubicles for swimmers
  • Changing facilities for other sports or activities
  • Activity studio
  • 70 to 75 station gym
  • Two squash courts with moveable wall
  • Car parking for approximately 100 cars.

If the bid is successful the extra funding would allow the council to increase the size of the swimming pool from six to eight lanes and increase the size of the sports hall from six to eight courts.

This would enable more activities to take place at the same time than is possible in the current sports centre.

Subject to planning permission being granted, it is anticipated the new centre should be complete by the end of 2015. The current Queen’s Park Sports Centre would remain open until a replacement has been constructed.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in Development

Successful Regional Growth Fund bid provides £250,000 of new machinery for Chesterfield manufacturer

Following the completion of its phase two £500,000 investment in 2013, Chesterfield Champion, Corrugated Case Company (CCC) has now unveiled the next round of investment for new equipment.

Securing assistance from the ‘Regional Growth Fund,’ the company has now placed orders for over £250,000 worth of new machinery.

The order includes a FlexiNOVA multi-point gluer and a Hi-Cut Autobox box-making machine – both from UK manufacturer British Converting Solutions Ltd.  The FlexiNOVA will be the first of its kind and will add a new dimension to the company’s product range offering.

CCC has also ordered an environmentally-friendly ink wash-up system from Solutex Ltd, which will ensure all waste water from the printing equipment is free from any contaminants before being recycled.

“Since we announced the first phase of our investment plan at our Chesterfield site in the second half of 2012, it has been really busy here,” explains Mark Wilcockson, Managing Director.

“We have confirmed our orders with the manufacturers and are expecting to take delivery of the new equipment towards the end of the Spring.  This will allow us to continue with our on-going expansion plans.

“In addition to the new equipment, we are about to submit formal plans for the extension to our factory to give us much needed additional manufacturing space and storage for finished goods for our stock and serve operation.”

“But it is not just machinery and buildings that are helping with the company’s growth, as Mr Wilcockson explains:

“With new machinery, you also need good training and additional people. We have recently seen two of our apprentices progress through to full-time operators and we have welcomed a new apprentice in February.

“It is a continuing trend here at Corrugated Case Company to train people specifically for the jobs we need and that way, we keep hold of our people for a decent period of time.

“In addition to the new apprentice, we have recently recruited a new graduate management trainee; a position which will commence in June this year.

“With increases in production capacity comes the need for additional management personnel to ensure everything runs smoothly, from order processing right through production and onto final invoicing.”

Source:The Corrugated Case Company

Posted in Business, Development

Markham Vale expansion work due to start

Work to expand Derbyshire County Council’s flagship regeneration site, Markham Vale is due to start next month after a visit to Markham Vale by Eric Pickles MP today (Tuesday 22nd April) confirmed Government cash is in the pipeline.

In January, the Government announced Markham Vale was to receive £14.2 million to turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs in the area following a bid drawn-up by the county council and submitted through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.

Added to a £12.5m contribution from the county council’s private sector developer, Henry Boot Developments Ltd, the cash will:

  • Unlock a further 81 acres of land which already has outline planning permission for development
  • Generate a further estimated £82 million of private sector investment
  • Create capacity to bring an estimated 2,100 jobs to the area
  • Carry out earthworks to prepare the ground for development plots capable of generating up to around 145,000 square metres of commercial floor space, as well as putting the relevant infrastructure in place for gas, electricity and water services.
  • Widen the existing Erin Road.
  • Build 100,000 sq ft of new industrial buildings.

In addition to this investment, a link road will also be built in 2015/16 to provide direct access to the site situated next to junction 29A of the M1.  The road is estimated to cost £7.56 million and expected to be funded jointly by the county council and local transport boards for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) and Sheffield City Region (SCR).

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“Markham Vale has a key role to play in helping to build a strong local economy in Derbyshire that creates jobs, attracts new businesses and provides a future for our young people.

“Derbyshire County Council has invested more than £60 million in the Markham Vale site since it was first launched in 2000 and we’re pleased the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has taken the time to come and see for himself the great strides we’re making in attracting business and investment to our county.

“This Enterprise Zone funding will allow us to develop more of the site, giving us the capacity to continue with our long-term vision of attracting more business and industry, creating 5,000 jobs for local people. We’re pleased we can finally start work to prepare the land and get plots in place for further development by March 2015.”

More than 560 new jobs have already been created at Markham Vale, which is currently home to 28 businesses.  A further 200 jobs have already been announced with the construction of new buildings underway.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Development

More jobs created at Markham Vale

A new development in Chesterfield is helping to boost the local economy.

Euro Garages, one of the leading UK independent forecourt operators, is due to open at Markham Vale next week, bringing more than 60 new jobs to the area.

Facilities will include a new Shell petrol forecourt including for HGVs, SPAR convenience store, Subway, Greggs and a Starbucks Drive-Thru together with public toilets, seating area and a free cash machine. The Shell petrol forecourt and Subway will be open 24 hours a day.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“It is great news that Euro Garages has decided to set up at Markham bringing another 63 jobs to the area and we are pleased we were able to help unemployed people find work at the new site, including young people.

“Markham Vale is going from strength to strength attracting more companies to Derbyshire because of the site’s location in the centre of England and its excellent transport links.”

Ilyas Munshi, Commercial Director at Euro Garages, said:

“Markham Vale Services is an exciting addition to our national estate portfolio of nearly 180 forecourt retail sites and it is the first development where we have partnered up with Henry Boot Developments.

“Euro Garages have been actively supported by stakeholders including Derbyshire County Council and local agencies with a view to delivering much needed jobs and economic prosperity. In summary, we want local people and commuters in and around Derbyshire to have access to world-class facilities.”

We have invested £77 million to reclaim the former mining area at Markham, between Chesterfield and Bolsover, with the long term aim of creating 5,000 jobs.

Working with development partner Henry Boot Development Limited, in the last year alone we have lined-up developments promising to bring 500 jobs to the site.

Vivienne Clements, Director of Henry Boot Developments comments:

“The opening of Euro Garages at Markham Vale is the next piece of the jigsaw in delivering a comprehensive offer for existing and new occupiers together with their work force.”

Last month the Government announced plans to expand Markham Vale Enterprise Zone bringing enterprise status to another 18 hectares of land on Markham Vale and offering benefits for businesses setting up in the area including tax breaks from Government.

And in February, Markham Vale received a £14.2m boost after successfully bidding for Government cash to open up prime economic development land.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Next phase of Staveley Basin development underway

Staveley Basin’s next phase of development has begun with contractors currently on site working to build wing walls to support the basin’s lock bridge.

Derbyshire County Council, which manages the project, has agreed to fund £89,000 towards the scheme, with Chesterfield Canal Trust contributing £76,000 in funds and volunteer time.

Ace Developments from Chesterfield has started an eight week contract to build the wing walls which will support the unfinished lock bridge already in place ready to carry a road over the canal.

The Staveley Basin project is part of work being completed with the help of volunteers to restore and improve Chesterfield Canal; making more of the waterway navigable.

The project has already seen the development of a mooring basin which can house up to 20 large canal boats and 12 smaller crafts.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport said:-

“This latest work on the Staveley Basin project is part of plans to help develop Chesterfield Canal as well as improve the area for visitors and boats. The work of the volunteers helping us to develop the project has been fantastic and we cannot thank them enough.”

Groups who have been involved in helping the project include the Chesterfield Canal Partnership and the Waterway Recovery Group.

Chesterfield Canal Trust, which has also been helping since 2012, has raised over £45,000 towards the project through donations.

A group of around 15 volunteers from the trust meet every Sunday to help build the lock at Staveley Basin.

George Bunting, 65, from Brimington has been a member of the trust since 1995 and is currently helping with construction.  He said:-

“The main benefits of the work at Staveley Basin will be the boost it gives tourism with people who come in on boats hopefully spending money in Staveley.  The thing I most enjoy about volunteering is the camaraderie and the idea that we are achieving something for the local community and leaving something for future generations.”

(Image courtesy of Chesterfield Canal Trust

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Hopes for leisure centre funding boost

A grant application of more than £1 million will be made by Chesterfield Borough Council to fund extra facilities at the proposed new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

An expression of interest to Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund has been successful and the council has now been formally invited to submit a full application.

A decision on whether the bid will be successful or not is expected to be made by Sport England’s board in the summer.

If funding is granted, it will enable the council to add extra facilities requested by users, the public and sports groups during the public consultations.

This could include increasing the number of lanes in the swimming pool from six to eight and adding two more courts to create an eight court sports hall, which would enable a wider range of sporting activities to take place at the same time.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said:-

“We said from day one of this project that we would be seeking to make grant applications that could enable us to add more facilities as soon as we were at the stage in the process that enables us to do this.

“The application will have to be considered by Sport England against other worthy bids so there are no guarantees of success.

“But we are pleased that Sport England recognised the local importance of this project and its potential to contribute to their community sport objectives when they supported us in the expressions of interest stage of the process.

“We believe we can put forward a really good and convincing bid as the grant would enable us to deliver an even better leisure centre that inspires more Chesterfield residents to get fit, active and healthy.”

Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund offers grants of up to £2 million for local authority projects that bring together multiple partners, including input from the public and private sectors. The fund is also designed to encourage applicants and their partners to invest further capital and revenue funding to ensure sustainability.

It is expected a decision on the planning application for the replacement Queen’s Park Sports Centre can be made within the next couple of months.

If the bid to Sport England is successful the grant funding would be added to the money already committed to the building by Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield College.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

New business centre and community park for Chesterfield

The first phase of the £3.8m restoration programme at Staveley Hall is nearing completion.

This follows several years of hard work from the Heart of Staveley Project, set up to transform the semi-derelict building and its historic walled garden into a centre focused on community, education, heritage and arts activities.

The project is creating Staveley Hall Business Centre, which will provide up to 70 jobs, as well as restoring the historic walled garden – transforming it into a town centre community park.

The first phase of the project, the revival of the stable block, will open in early June 2014, with office space available for 11 small businesses.  

Once complete in June 2015, Staveley Hall will also provide space for another 7 businesses to be located on the upper floors, with meeting rooms and a café on the ground floor.

The Heart of Staveley, which was launched in 2008, has so far secured £3.4m towards the cost of the £3.8 million project and there is a robust fundraising strategy in place to raise the remaining balance.

Funding has come from a range of charitable grant giving trusts including the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.  Staveley Town Council has also borrowed £750,000 from the Public Works Loans Board.

It is envisaged that Staveley Town Council will ratify the tender price in July 2014 and take a 33 year lease of the Hall and walled garden once work has been completed.

A small team of staff will be appointed, led by a hall manager and administrator, heritage and education officer, head gardener and volunteer coordinator who will be supported by up to 50 volunteers.

There are also plans for a garden team of 20 which will be established to work with the head gardener to restore the garden and then maintain it as a community park, based on the historic 17th Century structure, for the local community.

An public event is to be held at Staveley Hall on 15 April 2014 (4pm – 8pm) to provide an explanation of proposals, to seek support and start to create a team of volunteers.  Representatives of Staveley Town Council, the Heart of Staveley and the professional team will be available to explain the scheme and answer any queries.

Tours of the stable block will be available for those who are interested.  For more information please contact Staveley Town Council on 01246 473132.

Source:Staveley Town Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Markham Vale Enterprise Zone expansion announced by Sheffield City Region at MIPIM

Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone has announced plans to increase its size by almost a half including Markham Vale in Chesterfield.

The news follows extensive talks between local leaders and Government officials to negotiate the deal, which will see Zone expansions in Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield and Markham Vale, as well a new site at Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been brokering this deal with Government, which will mean that investors looking to set up in the Sheffield City Region will be able to access tax breaks across a new range of prime sites.

The existing Enterprise Zone sites totals 145 hectares, and this will add 70 hectares, which now gives the Zone a total area of 215 hectares.

The LEP has focused on attracting modern manufacturing and technology companies to the City Region by offering the opportunity to collaborate with world class manufacturers and universities in the area, as well as offering the top level of government tax incentives.

The announcement will be made today at MIPIM, where the LEP is showcasing the Enterprise Zone to an audience of 20,000 influential decision makers from the international property market.

James Newman, Chairman of Sheffield City Region LEP, who is currently at MIPIM in Cannes, said:

“I am delighted that the Government has listened to the LEP and enabled us to expand our Enterprise Zone to include additional strategic sites, including the land next to Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

“Since the launch of our Enterprise Zone in 2012, 18 new companies have located on our Enterprise Zone with 345 jobs already created on site and around 300 set to be created in the coming months.

“Businesses have been attracted to join our modern manufacturing and technology community which offers outstanding transport connectivity, a highly-skilled talent pool and the best UK Government tax incentives available.

“Now that our expansion has been confirmed, the LEP will be working closely with partners to ensure that the new sites can boast our full package Enterprise Zone benefits including simplified planning, superfast broadband and global promotion at international events.”

Local Growth Minister Kris Hopkins said:

“The Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone is creating a world class centre for modern manufacturing and technology.

“Expanding the Enterprise Zone will help to grow a community of world class businesses, which already boasts names like Rolls-Royce, Boeing and Firth Rixson and bring more investment, jobs and a boost to the Sheffield City Region economy.

“This is part of our long term economic plan to back business and enterprise right across the country, and it will help Sheffield City Region to grow stronger to build more homes and create more jobs to harness the talents of hard working local people.”

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in Development

Holdsworth expansion brings more jobs to Markham Vale

Construction of a 17,900 sq ft distribution warehouse and cold-store for Holdsworth has commenced on site at Henry Boot Development’s Markham Vale scheme.

Family owned Holdsworth, who supply food to caterers across the UK, originally purchased a 15,000 sq ft unit at Markham Vale in 2009.  However, the company required a larger facility to house its cold-store and chose the Markham Vale location once again.

Director, Rupert Holdsworth commented: “We chose to expand our operation at Markham Vale based on the quality of build at our existing site and also due to the excellent transport links and ease of access to the site”.

Initially the new premises will be utilised by existing Holdsworth staff whilst their base in Tideswell undergoes essential maintenance and repair work. Once the works at Tideswell are complete Holdsworth plans to continue to operate from both depots creating additional jobs at Markham Vale.

Ben Ward of Henry Boot Developments commented: “It’s great news that Holdsworth, an established Derbyshire company, has chosen to expand at Markham Vale. We are also in detailed discussions with a number of other occupiers and hope to be able to release details soon.”

Source:Henry Boot Developments

Posted in Business, Development

Business centre expansion supporting work to bring 5,000 jobs to Chesterfield

A business centre which is playing a vital role in the drive to bring thousands of jobs to Derbyshire is to be extended in a £975,000 scheme.

The Markham Vale Environment Centre is at the heart of Derbyshire County Council’s Markham Vale regeneration site close to junction 29A of the M1.

The former coalfield site is eventually expected to employ around 5,000 people. It is already home to 28 businesses employing over 400 people.

The Markham Vale Environment Centre is powered by on-site renewable energy and is at full occupancy – providing environmentally friendly work spaces for 12 small businesses.

Its meeting rooms are used by firms already on site and by businesses planning to relocate to Markham to recruit and train staff.

The £975,000 investment will see the centre double in size, bringing more workspace and offices. The bulk of the cost will be met through a £611,520 European Regional Development Fund Grant, with the county council contributing £363,480.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said: “The Markham Environment Centre has been a huge success and continues to play a key role in our work to deliver jobs for Derbyshire people.

“The centre’s expansion will double the amount of space available for use by companies which are already on site and those thinking of setting up at Markham to bring jobs for local people.

“This adds to the strong foundations which we’ve put in place to ensure Markham Vale is in a position to flourish as the economy picks up and is the latest in a string of recent positive announcements.”

Earlier this month Markham Vale received a £14.2m boost after successfully bidding for Government cash to turn dormant sites into prime economic land.

The funding will be used to develop the northern part of Markham Vale site, including a new link road, where the former Seymour Colliery site once stood.

Markham Vale has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Government, meaning firms moving to some areas of the site can apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances – offering tax relief for major investment in plant and machinery.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Business, Development

University future for landmark Chesterfield building

The University of Derby is delighted to announce the purchase of a Grade II listed former girls’ school in Chesterfield which will be used to support its growing presence in the town.

The acquisition of the St Helena Centre from Derbyshire County Council provides the University with an opportunity to further strengthen its work with the neighbouring Chesterfield College on Sheffield Road.

Major refurbishment would be required to bring the 2.2 acre site up to standard but, as a former school, many aspects of its layout lend themselves to further educational use.

The University could have the new centre ready by mid-2016.

It will bring new jobs to Chesterfield, business support, business incubation, nursing, engineering and real world learning to the town. The proposal has already been well received by Destination Chesterfield, which coordinates efforts to promote the town.

Hari Punchihewa, Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director at the University of Derby, said: “We have been working for some time to extend our presence in the town.

“This strategic acquisition extends our options to be of service to the town of Chesterfield and to help the economic development through comprehensive business support to create jobs and bolster the higher education offer already in place there.

“The building itself is a wonderful structure which sits in a perfect location, being so close to town and the college.

“The University of Derby has proved before that it is excellent at taking special buildings and bringing them back to life. You only have to look at the Buxton Dome to realise that. It would be great to see the building returned to its original purpose for education but this is just one of the options open to the University.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Council Services, Councillor Brian Ridgway, added: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to give the University the opportunity to extend their work intoChesterfield. This is the best possible use for the St Helena Centre.

“The University will bring new jobs to the area and create opportunities for people from Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover to increase their qualifications and skills.

“We’ve just announced a £14.2m investment in the Markham Vale site and having a more skilled local workforce will make coming to Derbyshire a more attractive proposition for businesses.”

The centre was built in 1911 as a school. The girls’ school closed in the 1990s and the council then used the building as offices until late 2013.

Source:University of Derby

Posted in Development