Major Chesterfield development bringing new restaurant and bars given green light

Blue Deer Ltd has been given the green light to develop its ‘Glass Yard’ site opposite the Proact Stadium, on Sheffield Road, after re-submitting plans.

The proposal promises to transform the former fire station site into new offices and accommodation for artisan food producers, restaurants, cafes and retail units.

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Project leaders at Blue Deer previously said they wanted to ‘bring a European culture and experience to Chesterfield’.

Tim Turner, managing director of Blue Deer Ltd, said: "I've visited food destination buildings in lots of European towns and cities and always have the same thought 'why don't we do something like this back home in Derbyshire'. Now we're going to.”

Planning documents describe the design as ‘contemporary’ and say it will ‘create 28 compact office units, and three mixed use units, which incorporate a food producer, restaurant, bar, café, retail and business centre use’.

There will also be 163 parking spaces and a new public walkway along the site’s southern boundary, close to Stand Road Park.

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Documents say: “The buildings’ appearance still nod to the agricultural aesthetic previously employed, with pitched roof with gable ends dressed in cladding materials and perforated metal balustrade. Each office unit individual with either ground floor or first floor access.”

Chesterfield Borough Council has given the development conditional planning permission despite several complaints from the public and from a community group.

Graham King, chair of the Friends of Stand Road Park, said he had no problem with previous plans which featured a ‘properly considered formal entrance’ to the park from the development.

“In the revised plan this entrance has been removed and replaced instead with what our members describe as a jitty,” he said.

Resident Bob Kugler said the footpath ‘could become ‘an area for anti-social behaviour, litter, graffiti, drug and alcohol problems’.

Derbyshire Constabulary also raised concerns about the path.

Hathersage-based Blue Deer Ltd was responsible for transforming 131 Chatsworth Road into shops, hair and beauty salons and restaurants, including Nonnas.

It has owned the 2.1-acre site of the former fire station since 2016.