Next step for Matlock’s Bakewell Road development

Council chiefs have decided upon a plan of action for the redevelopment of Matlock town centre – led by the community.
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In a meeting this evening (Thursday, June 26), members of Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Corporate Committee voted in favour of the third of three options for the Bakewell Road site.

Option three was that the council would concede that at the present time, the economic climate does not make a scheme which does not involve a major food operator commercially viable.

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A report into the issue stated: “Due to widespread opposition to a new major food retail development within the town, the district council [will] facilitate where possible the development of a community led scheme without any further significant district council resources being committed at the present time.

“In the event that a community led scheme evolves, the district council will subject that scheme to commercial viability assessment and market testing.”

The decision followed a workshop help by the authority in March, in which community leaders were invited to debate the future of the town centre.

Proposals put forward by Henry Davidson Developments – chosen by the council to lead the project – featured a 38,000sq ft supermarket, which contravened the vision for the redevelopment project set out in the Matlock Town Centre Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), created five years ago.

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The committee backed the option on the grounds that the council provide technical support in order to come up with a plan for the town centre which better suits what was initially outlined in the Matlock Town Centre SPD.

It also agreed to conclude the arrangement with Henry Davidson Developments.