Derbyshire canal revitalisation project approved

Plans to create a new waterside commercial and retail centre near a Derbyshire town have been given the go-ahead.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee has approved Derbyshire County Council’s application for the construction of the Staveley Town Basin Centre.

The scheme on the 2.4-hectare former coal site involves creating a two-storey centre spanning 855 square metres, which will include office areas, a workshop, commercial spaces for small enterprises, and a restaurant-cafe unit.

The development is a part of the government-funded Staveley Town Deal project worth £25 million.

The funding was greenlit in March 2021, but plans for the building are newly approved.

A total of 11 units are planned within the centre, each equipped with kitchen and restroom facilities, while a new 40-metre footpath is planned along Hall Lane.

Councillor Tony King, cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration at Derbyshire County Council, said: “We’ve put together proposals for an exciting new development, which will help to bring jobs to the area and boost the visitor economy.

“Derbyshire County Council has been working alongside partners over a number of years to improve the Staveley Basin area and the Staveley Town Deal has given us a great opportunity to turn our ideas into reality, using our expertise from Markham Vale to create high-quality business accommodation as well as a visitor destination that people from near and far can enjoy.”