Ten schemes are in line for millions of pounds of investment as part of Mayor Claire Ward’s plans to boost growth, create jobs and improve the region.
Funding has been earmarked for a string of projects set to bring benefits to places and people across the region, by improving town centres, supporting small businesses, creating jobs and helping communities grow in a greener, more sustainable way.
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) board members have now approved the schemes to enter EMCCA’s £25m Investment Fund pipeline.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “This funding marks another major step forward in our shared ambition to unlock the potential of the East Midlands.
“Inclusive growth is at the heart of everything we do and we’re ensuring the benefits of investment reach every part of our region, from our cities to our towns and villages.
“These projects will help create new opportunities, drive innovation, and support local jobs, all while strengthening the foundations of our communities.”
The projects under consideration for funding are:
- Stapleford Pencil Works (Nottinghamshire) – Construction of a business centre in the heart of Stapleford, housing coworking space, retail units, small offices, and makers spaces/workshops;
- Greening Growth in Giltbrook (Nottinghamshire) – Nine new-starter business units for small and micro-businesses in the area;
- Yorke Drive Housing, Newark (Nottinghamshire) – Redeveloping the existing Yorke Drive housing estate with new mixed tenure homes for sale and rent alongside improvements to sport and leisure, public realm, safety, accessibility, and electric vehicle charging points;
- Sherwood Revival, Ollerton (Nottinghamshire) – Regenerating the town centre with an enhanced and better connected new public sector hub, business units, housing, public realm space, and cinema;
- Becketwell Enabling (Derby) – Enabling works at the third phase of development at Becketwell, a flagship regeneration scheme in Derby City Centre and home to a Grainger 260-apartment build-to-rent development and 3,500-capacity Vaillant Live events and conferencing destination;
- Staveley Investment Programme (Derbyshire) – Delivery of the Barrow Hill Memorial Hall which will create community spaces, health provision, and early years activities and contribute to the Staveley Moorings project to deliver the final works to the project and complete the Staveley Basin project;
- Chesterfield Town Centre Masterplan (Derbyshire) – Supporting the delivery of housing in the Spire Neighbourhood alongside spaces for businesses, and further works to the Stephenson Memorial Hall refurbishment project to create a modern visitor experience in the heart of the town, with an extended theatre, a reconfigured modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities;
- Ashbourne Reborn (Derbyshire) – Improving access to Ashbourne Town Centre, supporting the Ashbourne Reborn Programme through targeted public realm enhancement, safety and drainage solutions, and sustainable transport measures;
- Long Eaton Town Deal (Derbyshire) – Supporting the development of high-quality infrastructure and enhancement of the Long Eaton Town Deal as part of a wider programme of works led by Erewash District Council;
- Clay Cross Town Deal (Derbyshire) – Developing the town centre including new-build public realm, retail space, improved library facilities, and refurbished adult education centre.
Mayor Claire said: “We’re working with partners to build a region that celebrates its heritage while looking confidently to the future. I’m committed to making the East Midlands a place where everyone has the chance to thrive, contribute, and feel proud to call home.”
Board members discussed the proposal at their meeting on Monday 24 November 2025, and each project will now go through final due diligence to secure the funding.
