Six immediate priority Government-backed housing projects have been earmarked across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The priority list, compiled by the East Midlands Combined County Authority, comprises housing projects backed by Homes England – the Government’s housing agency.
It outlines that the chosen six schemes, narrowed down from a longlist, are “those having the current best chance of delivery”, while other projects require more work.
Here are the six Government-backed housing development projects deemed “immediate priorities” across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, listed alphabetically.
Buxton, Spring Gardens Shopping Centre
This town centre project in Buxton, Derbyshire, would see 332 rented homes built in the area around the Springs shopping centre, which High Peak Borough Council bought with Government funding in 2022.
Part of the scheme involves the borough council buying former railway depot land to provide a new 200-space car park, with further plans for an extra 100 council homes on Granby Road in the Fairfield area of the town.
The report says Homes England and the combined authority are currently considering how they can best support this scheme to come forward and have met with High Peak Borough Council and developer Capital & Centric to discuss opportunities for funding.
Chesterfield town centre/Spire Neighbourhood
This combined pitch from Chesterfield Borough Council in northern Derbyshire is badged as an “ambitious regeneration project revitalising areas east of the town centre with new housing, green spaces, and improved connectivity”.
The council is currently seeking a development partner to carry out the scheme, saying Chesterfield borough is expected to see 500 new homes built per year over the next 15 years.
Meanwhile, this item also includes the £200 million Chesterfield Waterside scheme, listed as “one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK”, including a 40-acre site which straddles the River Rother and canal, alongside the A61.
This includes housing and business development, with 177 homes already built alongside a large office building.
Derby city centre/station quarter
This involves plans from Derby City Council to develop the “public realm” area around the railway station, along with plans for housing.
That scheme is already being supported by Homes England and the EMCCA, with requests for funding already being submitted.
The project includes the creation of a new walkway from the entrance of the station to Midland Road, a new entrance and signage for the existing Derby Midland Station, and new apartments and office space.
Fairham
This is a 13,000-home “urban extension” to Nottingham, south of Clifton, being delivered by Homes England itself, badged as “strategically important” for the entire region.
Planning consent has been achieved for 3,000 homes, the report says, alongside town centre, leisure and green space features.
It says plans for a primary school have been submitted, with an aim to open it in 2028, while a business park is now 50 per cent complete and has provided 1,200 jobs so far.
The 606-acre site is billed as the “future neighbourhood for Nottingham” and will be “the East Midlands’ most significant mixed-use development”, next to the A454 Remembrance Way and the Clifton South park and ride.
Infinity Garden Village/South Derbyshire Growth Zone
This scheme includes plans for 6,000 homes between Derby and the A50, supporting infrastructure such as shops and services, a significant expansion of the Infinity Park business park by Rolls-Royce, and a new A50 junction and link road.
The report says work on the new junction, the cost of which has soared to £89.1 million, is set to start in spring next year, listed elsewhere as April 2027, having initially been due to be completed by early 2025 at a cost of £37.5 million.
It says Homes England and the EMCCA are accelerating the “crucial site”, with a report in July saying the combined authority had given grants of £1.5 million and £2.5 million, as well as a cashflow grant of £18.64 million.
Housing plans for one of the main housing sections and the first tranche of new business space for the garden village have been pending since 2019 and remain undecided.
Nottingham city centre including Broad Marsh
The report says Homes England, Nottingham City Council and the combined authority have signed a collaboration agreement to redevelop the former Broad Marsh shopping centre in Nottingham.
Demolition and asbestos removal at the now-derelict site, costing £30 million, have been ongoing for a year, part-funded by £3 million from the EMCCA, with redevelopment due to start in 2028.
The report says pre-market engagement for a development partner for the project has been carried out, with a “good” response.
Plans for the site, listed as “Nottingham’s highest priority regeneration project”, include 1,000 homes and 20,000 square metres of retail, office and community space, with 2,000 new jobs to be created.
By Eddie Bisknell, Local Democracy Reporter