Charity ‘progressing purchase’ of Chesterfield family centre – after food store plans approved

Councillors have approved plans to turn a Chesterfield family centre into a food store – but a charity has confirmed it is ‘progressing the purchase’ of the property so it can be used for the ‘benefit of the local community’.
By Michael Broomhead
Published 15th Sep 2021, 17:14 BST
Updated 16th Sep 2021, 09:25 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

On Monday, members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee gave Heron Foods conditional permission to convert Holmebrook Valley Family Centre and Promises Day Nursery into a food store – despite residents’ objections.

MORE: Chesterfield nurse opens up about mental health battle amid pandemic as he prepares to run London Marathon dressed as pint of beer

However, Edge Ministries, a national Christian charity which is headquartered in Staveley, has announced its intention to buy the building on Wardgate Way, Holme Hall, and ‘restore it to its original purpose, despite the approved planning application to commercialise the premises’.

Holmebrook Valley Family Centre's current owners with Carl Edge, chief executive of Edge Ministries, and Steve Martin, Edge Ministries' operations director.Holmebrook Valley Family Centre's current owners with Carl Edge, chief executive of Edge Ministries, and Steve Martin, Edge Ministries' operations director.
Holmebrook Valley Family Centre's current owners with Carl Edge, chief executive of Edge Ministries, and Steve Martin, Edge Ministries' operations director.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carl Edge, chief executive of Edge Ministries, told the Derbyshire Times: “Edge Ministries is delighted to be progressing the purchase of Holmebrook Valley Family Centre, with the property being surveyed on September 13 and draft contracts being issued.

“We are delighted to be working closely with the current owners Valley CiDS to complete the sale as soon as possible.

“The application by Heron Foods was made independently.

“We are excited to be making plans to run this centre for the benefit of the local community and will be establishing some key advice and help services via our partner agencies and friends – from parenting courses to housing, benefits, debt help and much more.

Resident Amy Greatorex used to work at the nursery and voiced opposition to Heron Foods' plans for the building. Here, Amy is pictured in March with residents who opposed the company's planning application.Resident Amy Greatorex used to work at the nursery and voiced opposition to Heron Foods' plans for the building. Here, Amy is pictured in March with residents who opposed the company's planning application.
Resident Amy Greatorex used to work at the nursery and voiced opposition to Heron Foods' plans for the building. Here, Amy is pictured in March with residents who opposed the company's planning application.

“Redeemer King Church will also be looking to make its home there for Sunday and midweek meetings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re extremely grateful for the support of the local community who have cheered us on from day one.

“We feel strongly that facilities like this should be kept open for the benefit of the community and run on a not-for-profit basis – which is why we stepped in to both purchase it and restore it to its original purpose, despite the approved planning application to commercialise the premises,” he added.

Mr Edge said he would keep the Derbyshire Times updated about the sale.

The Derbyshire Times asked Heron Foods for a statement but had not received one by the time of publication.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For more information about Edge Ministries, visit https://edgeministries.net

MORE: Derbyshire County Council explains why gritters were on road during heatwave

Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Visit www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/subscriptions

Related topics:Derbyshire TimesCouncillorsChesterfieldHeron Foods