Major new housing and commercial schemes approved

A developer has been given the green light to build hundreds of new homes and extend an existing business park in the north of the county.

The proposals by Devonshire Property Group, which is part of the Devonshire Group, to construct 650 new homes and community facilities at Mastin Moor and create a major extension to Markham Vale have been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Work on the Mastin Moor development is due to start in the summer and at Markham Vale later in the year.

Andrew Byrne, from Devonshire Property Group: “We are delighted that the planning committee has approved these exciting projects.

“They will bring hundreds of much-needed new jobs and homes to the area and, just as importantly, throughout their development we are taking a considered and sensitive approach to improving environmental standards and to the provision of training and skills.”

At Mastin Moor, as well as the new homes, community facilities, including a residential care home, shops, and health and leisure amenities, along with 20 hectares of new parkland will be created.

The development will also be home to the Construction Skills Hub, a project that will offer a range of vocational courses, delivered by the University of Derby and Chesterfield College, designed to upskill the workforce in both current construction techniques and those required to create the sustainable homes and workplaces of the future.

According to Devonshire Property Group, the extension to Markham Vale is expected to create up to 800 new jobs.

Mr Byrne said: “We’ve put in place an extensive landscaping plan, which includes protecting and improving the river corridor, and extensive tree and hedgerow planting as well as a large area of grassland.

“We’re also working with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to improve the wildlife habitats on a nearby site that will result in an overall 10% net gain in biodiversity.

“This is a high-quality extension to a highly successful employment location, with the aim of making a real contribution to the strength of the local economy.”