Regeneration of key area in Chesterfield is ‘badly needed’, Liberal Democrat leader says

The HS2 Station Master Plan will be discussed by Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet on Tuesday and the ambitious document is then set to go out to public consultation.

MORE: 'Tremendously exciting': Ambitious regeneration plans for Chesterfield could create nearly 1,000 jobs

According to the borough council, key proposals under the plan include:

- Creating development sites between the town centre and Chesterfield train station to ‘accommodate a mix of uses’ – possibly generating around 850 jobs

- A new public ‘boulevard’ for pedestrians and cyclists – including segregated cycle lanes – leading from the station to Corporation Street

- A new station link road between Brimington Road and Hollis Lane with improved public transport access

Councillor Paul Holmes, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the borough council, said: “The redevelopment of the area around and between the railway station and the town centre is badly needed.

“It can create employment and provide a more welcoming face to those arriving in Chesterfield.

“As well as the much-needed economic benefits of redeveloping this area, a much better public transport link is needed.

“The uphill walk to the town centre is not very welcoming to the ill, elderly or those with luggage.

“It is, though, good to see cycle and walkways being designed in, as should now be standard for any new development.

“I do hope that any new buildings will be designed to complement Chesterfield’s townscape and not to clash with it.

“Unlike the ‘Lego brick’ enterprise centre and ‘Meccano set’ multi-storey car park on Holywell Cross.”

There are concerns that the eastern leg of HS2 – the high-speed rail line – could be delayed or even axed completely.

Coun Holmes said: “At cabinet and at full council I have made the point that we need proposals which are not dependent upon the uncertain Government plans to go ahead with HS2.

“Even calling it the HS2 Station Master Plan is in danger of creating a false sense of failure should the Government scrap their plans for the eastern leg of HS2.”

Coun Tricia Gilby, leader of the borough council, said the plan ‘can be delivered ahead of – and independently to – the national project if needed’.

She added: “We want to create a vibrant gateway to north Derbyshire and the Peak District, to better connect this key site to our town centre, and to bring unused and underused land back to life for the benefit of local people.”

Dom Stevens, manager of Destination Chesterfield, also hailed the proposals.

He said: “The regeneration plans for Chesterfield are extremely exciting and testament to the resilience of the town in these challenging times.

“The creation of up to 1,000 jobs would deliver employment opportunities for young people, ensuring the town remains a vibrant place to live, work and spend leisure time helping us attract further investment.”

Funding for proposed regeneration between Chesterfield town centre and the train station has been obtained by the borough council and Derbyshire County Council through both the Sheffield City Region and East Midlands local enterprise partnerships.

The borough council is expected to release more details about the public consultation next week.

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