Planning application for major Derbyshire employment site submitted

Plans to create a major 200-acre employment site in Derbyshire, which would create thousands of new jobs, have been submitted.

Following a public consultation, which started in October, Verdant Regeneration has submitted a planning application to Erewash Borough Council to create the rail connected scheme near to Junction 25 of the M1, on part of the former Stanton Ironworks.

Verdant, which is a joint venture featuring the owners of Ward Recycling, completed a deal for the site towards the end of last year – and first revealed its plans for the development – called New Stanton Park – back in April.

According to Verdant, if the scheme gets to go-ahead, the site could provide around two million square feet of employment space and create 4,000 new jobs once fully developed.

David Ward, of Verdant Regeneration, said: “The submission of the outline planning application is a hugely important step in bringing forward the regeneration of this major strategic site.

“In its redevelopment we are aiming to deliver high quality real estate that will drive occupier activity and job creation.”

With a direct and operational link to the Midland Main Line railway, the New Stanton Park site has potential to become a key distribution point for materials being imported and exported efficiently throughout the UK and beyond.

Mr Ward said that Verdant would take a “sustainable approach” to the development, combining energy efficient buildings with green space.

Fishing ponds, rural walkways and cycle tracks would also be created to enhance biodiversity and link the site and its wider communities.

David Grier, of Verdant Regeneration, said: “Having acquired the site in 2020, we have worked hard across the team to quickly bring forward an outline planning application on what is one of the largest regeneration projects within the region.

“New Stanton Park offers an excellent strategic location, blending an active rail connection with strong private and public transport connectivity, plentiful labour and large power supply.

“When combined, we are confident this will result in a highly successful development with the next chapter set to positively transform and improve the area, bringing forward large scale job creation in the process.”

New Stanton Park is being jointly marketed by M1 Agency and TBD Real Estate.

James Keeton, of M1 Agency, said: “The submission of the outline planning application is a major milestone in the delivery of New Stanton Park and the regeneration of this large-scale former brownfield site.

“With strong initial occupier interest, subject to receiving a positive outcome, we are confident of quickly bringing forward development and realising the transformation and improvement of the area in a high quality and sustainable manner, most importantly, delivering large scale job creation in the process.”

Chris Drummond, from TDB Real Estate, said: “The redevelopment of the site has been talked about for a significant period of time and it is excellent news that it is now hopefully set to come to fruition.

“Verdant Regeneration has been hugely pro-active in its approach since purchasing the site and with active occupier engagement we welcome the delivery of an outline planning consent to thereafter bring forward the transformation and improvement of this strategically important site.”