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Exciting Times Ahead As Town Develops

Saturday 23rd July 2011

"We have great aspirations for Chesterfield". That was Chesterfield Borough Council's Chief Executive Huw Bowen as he formally unveiled plans for a multi million pound development in the centre of Chesterfield.

The Donut in chesterfield town highlighted for redevelopment
The 'Donut' car park in Chesterfield, highlighted for re-development

The 'Northern Gateway' scheme will be sited on the 'Donut' roundabout and it's surrounding area. It is, say the council team, aimed at "upping the quality of shopping in the town" and plans include bringing in 'high end' shops such as Debenhams and Oasis.

At a press briefing both Huw Bowen and Leader of The Council John Burrows said they were backing the project in full and were excited about the future regeneration of the site, one of the main arterial routes into town, and the jobs it will create.

Huw Bowen began by saying that, "Chesterfield already has lots of iconic features, notably the Parish Church and the market retail development - all within a historic setting. It is a modern, contemporary destination, with a good market within it, but needs", he says "to move forward".

There has been significant progress already within the town-the coach station has seen an five fold increase of traffic into the town and development of the Dema Glass Site, Waterside and Markham Vale areas have all seen the benefits of regeneration.

Mr Bowen also explained how the Northern Gateway project had come about, saying that "a masterplan had been produced a few years ago which highlighted the need for some improvements, most notably, to enlarge the gateways from the railway station to the town centre, as the town centre is compact and contained. They suggested that we create new quarters, the first of which is the Northern Gateway."

Moving on to the benefits of the development itself the Chief Executive explained that the town already had, "Lots of multiples but that they were now trying to attract premium retailers (he confirmed interest from companies such as La Senza, Oasis and Debenhams) and that, with a catchment population of 1.6 million, there was ££2.7 billion of untapped potential in the local economy, much of which is currently directed elsewhere as local people venture to places such as Meadowhall to shop. Currently Chesterfield captures 9% of that in spending terms."

The purpose of the meeting with developers was to, he said, "Invite development partners to come along and work with us, looking at a timescale of the developers being announced in March next year, going to planning in Sept 2012 and the site being assembled sometime in 2012 - 2013. It is expected to be completed by 2014."

It was also confirmed at the meeting that existing businesses which surround the site may have to have some land ‘pulled in', but Mr Bowen did assert that those companies had already been contacted and that negotiations were ongoing in order to facilitate the best deal for everyone. It is hoped that this can be achieved by conversation but he did admit that Compulsory purchase would be a final measure. However everyone involved was keen that alternative locations were found.

The jobs, which would come into the town as a result of this project, could mount to thousands, both during construction and after opening. This, said Councillor Burrows was, "an important outcome and a huge consideration".

Whilst admitting that there was likely to be some traffic and parking disruption during the building period, Cllr Burrows stressed that, "living and working in Chesterfield as he and the team do, we'll know about it and be able to judge whether measures put in place are working or not very quickly".

The development would not only bring retail opportunities and jobs to the town but would also provide a residential portal and also some form of leisure uses if possible.

Though the Council have not, as yet, seen any of the plans from developers they envisage that the facility will be an open air space rather than a mall type area.

Editor's Note: Over 30 developers and companies were at the briefing too - including Asda, Balfour Beatty and Tushingham Moor. That alone shows, to me, that, even during the difficult economic times, consumer confidence in Chesterfield is high and that the town is seen by outsiders as a vibrant and thriving economy. This was backed up by figured released showing that the town currently has a 95% occupancy rate in the town centre - second only in the country to Kensington High Street!! Kate Middleton take note!

 

 

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