Plan to turn garden centre into kayaking hub holds water

Planning & Design Practice has secured permission to turn a former Derbyshire garden centre into a new kayaking hub.

Working on behalf of Peak UK Kayaking Co, the firm has received planning consent from Derbyshire Dales District Council to turn Cromford Garden Centre into a new headquarters, community hub and activity base called Carrwood Mill.

The development will provide enhanced opportunities for children to engage in kayaking while supporting local heritage and sustainability initiatives.

Located adjacent to  Cromford Canal, the site will also accommodate PaddlePeak, Peak UK Kayaking’s charitable organisation, which promotes youth participation in kayaking and coordinates environmental conservation efforts along the River Derwent.

For more than 30 years, Peak UK has been at the forefront of kayaking apparel and equipment manufacturing, supplying elite athletes, including Olympians.

As demand for its products has grown, the company has sought to expand its operations, selecting the former Cromford Garden Centre as an ideal location for its next phase of development.

The site, which had remained vacant and overgrown for more than a decade, will now be revitalised, contributing to both the local economy and environmental sustainability.

In a statement, Planning & Design Practice said: “This development will not only enhance local infrastructure but also create 12 new jobs.

“The high-quality facility will contribute to the long-term environmental sustainability of the site while fostering community engagement through kayaking activities and conservation initiatives.

“We are delighted to have been involved in this significant project and look forward to seeing Carrwood Mill make a positive impact on the local area.”