Full steam ahead for £25.2million Staveley Town Deal projects

A year after Staveley Town Deal was awarded £25.2million by the Government, all 11 projects that make up the programme have now been approved, with hopes they will improve the quality of life for residents through new employment opportunities and access to better facilities.

The project is down to the joint efforts of organisations including Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Staveley Town Council, Barrow Hill Community Trust, Chesterfield Canal Trust, Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club and Tawnywood Ltd.

Staveley Town Deal Board Chairman Ivan Fomin commented: “The projects that are being funded through the Town Deal are designed to complement one another and have been developed in response to the challenges and opportunities in Staveley.

“The project sponsors have worked hard to get to this point but we are now moving into delivering these projects and ensuring that they can benefit everyone in Staveley.”

The programme aims to make Staveley ‘a place to start, to stay, to grow’ and comprises of the following projects –

DRIIVe (Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle) commercial and training space

A rail innovation and training centre in Barrow Hill, being developed by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield College, the University of Derby, Newcastle University and Talgo.

Hartington Industrial Park

A 20-hectare site with outline planning permission for industrial and warehouse development that will create jobs with funding to support the development of infrastructure.

Construction Skills Hub

A movable construction training centre initially based on a live construction site in Mastin Moor that is being developed with a training provider and construction sector businesses.

Staveley Miners’ Welfare FC Academy

Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club is using funding to create an academy where young people earn BTECs or similar qualifications in sport, which includes the creation of two classrooms above the club house and improvements to the car park.

Staveley Station

Derbyshire County Council is leading on the reinstatement of Staveley Railway Station subject to confirmation of funding from the Government to restore the Barrow Hill Line, a decision on which is expected in the near future.

Wheels to Work Staveley Hub

A scheme focussed on ensuring everyone can access employment and training opportunities by providing bicycles and e-scooters for those who don’t have access to a private vehicle and have limited transport options. There will also be real time passenger information and EV charge points.

Staveley 21

Aimed at regenerating and revitalising Staveley town centre, it is based around the masterplan developed last year and includes Wi-Fi connectivity and environmental improvements to ensure the town centre is attractive, with good retail and leisure facilities.

Staveley Waterside

The first phase of a mixed-use development centred around the Staveley Canal Basin that will include the creation of an access road, pontoons to create moorings, a café and flexible office and workshop space for small businesses.

Staveley Hall Conference Centre

Staveley Town Council is using the funding it has secured to extend the historic Staveley Hall and create a modern events space with an extension to the café and the creation of two flexible events spaces that can be used for informal community events and also business led events.

Chesterfield Canal

Chesterfield Canal Trust is restoring the Chesterfield Canal to the borough boundary. Works include the reconstruction of 850m of canal channel, a new aqueduct over the river Doe Lea, bridges, a new lock and 3km of footpath improvements along the towpath and connecting routes to multiuser trails.

Barrow Hill Memorial Hall

Barrow Hill Community Trust is leading on the refurbishment of Barrow Hill Memorial Hall to create a modern community hub where residents can access support services and socialise.