Leicestershire architects masterplan new Whetstone homes development

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IMA Architects (IMA), an architectural firm based on Lutterworth Road in Blaby, Leicester, has partnered with Jessup Partnerships on a new housing scheme that will deliver 49 new homes in Whetstone.

Work is now underway at the site, located on Cambridge Road. When completed, the development will consist of a range of one-bedroom apartments and maisonettes as well as two-and-three-bedroom houses. The project comes as a result of the continued high demand for smaller new homes in this area of Leicester.

Previously a brownfield site in the form of a car park, the scheme will transform the land into a residential hub that’s aesthetically pleasing, attracting new families, and working professionals to the area. Once complete, the new buildings will have feature brickwork panels on the front of each property, elevating the design to create an attractive place to live.

Working closely with Jessup Partnerships, IMA will provide architecture services, act as the principal designer and masterplan the entire site.

Speaking on the new scheme, Jack Mellor, IMA’s senior architectural technician, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside leading affordable homes provider Jessup Partnerships to deliver high-quality affordable homes for small families, first-time buyers and working professionals alike. By combining innovative design with cost-effective solutions, this scheme will facilitate the creation of stylish dwellings that are also practical and affordable.”

Giovanni Corbo, head of development and technical at Jessup Partnerships, said: “The Cambridge Road scheme will bring much needed new homes to Whetstone and we are pleased to have now broken ground on site.

“IMA have a proven track record in delivering housing projects across the East Midlands and we are pleased to have partnered with them. Our combined expertise will ensure Cambridge Road is a great place for Whetstone residents for years to come.”

Nottinghamshire visitor economy plans boosted

Post-pandemic plans to reinvigorate Nottinghamshire’s visitor economy have been given a boost – thanks to feedback from those at the heart of the industry. Visitor attractions, local businesses and suppliers had their say on the future of the county’s visitor economy as part of a six-week consultation which included an online survey and face-to-face events last Autumn. Those who took part included the Arts Council, business forums, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Visit England as well as district, borough and parish councils. Based on feedback from industry and partners, plans have been updated to help give Nottinghamshire an even stronger identity when promoting the county as a unique place to visit. For the first time, there’s a separate theme for sport. The six main themes/selling points are: • Making even more of the global brand of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest • The county’s fascinating history and heritage • Green and active – making the most of the county’s countryside and green spaces • Local produce and crafts • Sport as a spectacle • Contemporary culture These plans and themes to revitalise Nottinghamshire’s visitor economy were debated and discussed at Full Council. Final plans will be presented to Economic Development and Asset Management Cabinet for official sign-off then used as the framework to focus on practical ways to support the industry. A full action plan will be announced this Spring. Cllr Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We want to see the visitor economy get back to the pre-pandemic days of it being one of the fastest growing industries in the UK generating billions in GDP a year and employing over two million people. “Which is why we’ve listened to the industry to build on our existing plans. Sport warrants being a focus in its own right, after all the Tour of Britain cycle race brought a massive £4.3 million into the county’s economy and attracted 225,000 spectators – of which nearly 70 per cent were from outside the local area. “And should plans for a combined authority go ahead, having more decision-making powers and resources means bringing in more investment across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham making the region an even more attractive place to visit.” Cllr Keith Girling, the county council’s cabinet member for economic development and asset management, said: “We know there’s still challenges for the industry, particularly with rising costs, but it’s vital we boost our visitor economy by being even clearer about what we are all about and what we have on offer. These six themes give us a great basis to do that. “We thank everyone who fed back on this consultation to help us better focus on our visitor economy, which is wider than you may think, as it includes traditional tourism and everything in the supply chain that attracts visitors to Nottinghamshire – including construction, farming and sport – and the infrastructure that supports it.”

£20 million secured to invest in Kimberley

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Kimberley will benefit from £20m investment after the Government announced it has been selected to receive £16.5m from the Levelling Up Fund.
Broxtowe Borough Council has committed to add a further £3.5m to that figure to help improve the area for local people. Broxtowe MP Darren Henry, who supported the bid, said: “I am thrilled that Kimberley’s Levelling Up bid has been successful in securing £16.5 million worth of Government investment into the Town with additional support from Broxtowe Borough Council totalling £20 million investment. “From the moment the Government announced the Levelling Up scheme, I was clear there should be a bid centred on Kimberley and for the past two years I have been working with the Town and Borough councillors, and with local residents and businesses to ensure we submitted a strong and successful bid. “I am looking forward to getting these exciting new projects off the ground and ensure that the people of Kimberley and the surrounding area can take advantage of the fantastic opportunities on offer.” Councillor Tim Hallam, Portfolio Holder Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “This is fantastic news for Kimberley. It’s taken a huge amount of work to produce such an excellent bid, so it’s great to see this recognised in the funding awarded. “I look forward to seeing these projects come to life in the coming months and years, really giving Kimberley a boost towards a prosperous and sustainable future. “It’s a real shame that the Eastwood bid didn’t get the go-ahead from Government, but that won’t stop us from finding ways to invest in the town and continuing to add to the excellent plans that have already been developed. It’s vital that all of Broxtowe moves forward together and that nobody in the community is left behind.” The funding will be used to deliver the following projects: A Town Centre Improvement Project
  • In place of the existing Parish Hall on Newdigate Street, a new Business and Community Hub will be constructed. This will offer co-working and office space for start-ups and small businesses, as well as improved space for community activities on the ground floor.
  • Small Business Grants will also be made available to businesses in Kimberley to improve the feel and appearance of the town and the functionality of these businesses.
  • Lighting equipment will be purchased to create light displays and VR attractions similar to that on Valentine’s Day last year, to encourage events-based attractions in Kimberley and drive visitor footfall.
Digby Street Industrial Units and Swingate Farm sports facilities
  • The current football pitch at Digby Street will be redeveloped into 20 new industrial units to allow new businesses to move into Kimberley, driving job creation and economic growth.
  • A new sports facility at Swingate Farm will be developed in its place, with a new football and cricket pitch to support the outstanding Kimberley sports teams.
Cycle Path Network and Bennerley Viaduct Eastern Ramp
  • A new active travel route would link up Kimberley with Eastwood, Giltbrook, Phoenix Park Tram Stop and Bennerley Viaduct.
  • This project will also fund the construction of an accessible Eastern Ramp at Bennerley Viaduct, a Grade 2* listed railway viaduct of great historical and cultural significance and important tourist attraction.
  • These routes would allow more people to cycle and walk to commute to work and for leisure purposes, and would encourage more visitors to the area. It would also support reducing carbon emissions and healthier lifestyle choices.
The bid was produced by Broxtowe Borough Council in consultation with local residents, groups and Kimberley Parish Council.

Newly refurbished warehouse unit let on Derby industrial estate

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G5 Cranmer Road, West Meadows Industrial Estate, Derby, has been let, with Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants acting on behalf of long term clients. G5 Cranmer Road is situated just off Pentagon Island on the A52. The unit provides 8,598ft2 of clear span industrial/warehouse accommodation and benefits from a self-contained yard to the rear. Darran Severn, director at FHP Property Consultants, said: “This is an excellent result for all parties involved and we were able to secure a new 5 year lease for our clients. The building benefitted from a comprehensive refurbishment and attracted good interest due to its self-contained secure yard which is always a big selling point these days. “Due to the demand, we were able to secure a rent which breaks back to £6.50ft2. We currently have unit E9 ‘under offer’ which is situated on the same estate and I look forward to announcing details on this in the coming weeks.”

Mansfield awarded £20m for Beales multi-agency hub project

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Mansfield District Council has been awarded a total of £20m from the Government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund.
The Mansfield Connect project is one of 11 projects in the East Midlands that has been allocated more than £176 million from round two of the Levelling Up Fund. The landmark 1930s former Beales building is set to be modernised and extended to provide a new headquarters for the council. It is expected to house a variety of other public, educational, enterprise and health and wellbeing services alongside spaces for private sector investment. Elected Mayor Andy Abrahams said he was thrilled that the bid had been successful and hoped it would now unlock the town’s full potential with the Mansfield Connect project. He said: “The wait may have been agonising, but I am elated to see that we have received approval for our full bid of £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The Mansfield Connect project will offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop new solutions to some of the district’s challenges. “The scheme forms a vital part of our ambitious long-term town centre regeneration plans. Our new multi-agency civic and community hub at the former Beales department store will see a new multi-partner facility and provide a new headquarters for the council. “But it’s not just about the council. This new hub will see the co-ordination of services across a range of partners including, the County Council alongside community, health, work and education and skills agencies. It will also be a beacon for evening activities with potentially dining, lifestyle and business opportunities. “The building has long needed repurposing and will be brought back to life to rejuvenate our town centre. This repurposing will then have a knock-on effect, stimulating our local economy and encouraging private-sector investment into Mansfield District, which benefits everybody. “Mansfield Connect will improve the coordination and delivery of public services to our residents – acting as a one-stop shop. Mansfield Connect is all about connecting our place, our communities and our services for the benefit of the district and its residents. “It will also generate extra footfall in the town centre and act as a catalyst for wider development, stimulating both the day and night-time economy in the town centre. Linked to our Towns’ Fund programme, this marks a radical step forward for Mansfield. “I look forward to sharing more updates on this project in due course, but in the meantime, my thanks go out to all our partners and organisations who helped bring this successful bid to fruition.” To date, the Department for Work and Pensions, Nottinghamshire County Council, Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Nottingham Trent University, NHS health partners, and volunteering co-ordinator the CVS have all expressed interest in being involved in the new hub. Mansfield Connect forms part of the council’s wider ambitions for the town, being drawn up in the emerging Town Centre Masterplan and aligns with broader Mansfield District Council strategies promoting Growth, Aspiration, Wellbeing and Place.

Developer to create new apartments scheme in Derby

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AG Homes is set to create new apartments and a mixed-use scheme in Derby – designed by Matthew Montague Architects. The developer is to build 33 new apartments on Mansfield Road, with a ground-breaking ceremony due to take place this month. It follows the exchanging of contracts on a 2,700 sq ft site earmarked for residential development. The apartment scheme received planning consent in October and will be delivered by AG’s portfolio of contractors. The 33 apartments will come with a number of car parking and bicycle spaces and benefit from a community lounge. Meanwhile, the group’s dedicated construction arm AG Construction has won a contract to convert the former Waterside Inn pub – which sits opposite the site – into a further four apartments with a ground floor commercial area totalling 1,350 sq ft. Allister Gardiner, Managing Director of AG Homes, said: “The sites present an exciting opportunity for AG to develop a new, modern apartment building along with a further four apartments and commercial space. “With Derby being our home and one of the fastest growing economies in the UK, we wanted to explore the opportunity of providing the city with quality accommodation and workspaces that are efficiently designed.” Craig Swinfield, head of sales at AG, said: “There is a great demand for new, modern apartments suitable for the influx of professionals into Derby. We therefore wanted to be at the forefront of providing this.”

Green light for £15m Ashbourne transformation

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The £15 million transformation of Ashbourne town centre will start in 2023 after government approved a Levelling Up Fund bid. ‘Ashbourne Reborn’, led by Derbyshire Dales District Council, was developed through close working with local partners who brought forward project ideas, identified opportunities and raised match-funding for the bid. The partners include Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council, AshCom, Ashbourne Methodist Church and Derbyshire County Council. News that the bid – submitted to government at the end of July – has been approved means partners can develop more detailed plans for the two-year development project focused on three distinct project areas. The first is a series of transformed public spaces including Market Place, Victoria Square, Millennium Square and Shrovetide Walk, while the second project focuses on a new community hub, transforming the Methodist Church into a multi-purpose community building. The hub will provide a wide range of event and meeting spaces, a performance venue and flexible work areas with high quality digital provision. New traffic management plans will transform the pedestrian experience in Ashbourne by widening footways and providing new and improved crossings as part of the third project. District Council leader Councillor Garry Purdy said: “This is fantastic news and we can all look forward to transformed spaces in which events and activities can take place, bringing a much needed vibrancy – and indeed footfall – back to the town. “This will be the biggest capital grant project ever undertaken by this council and I want to thank all partners for getting Ashbourne Reborn to this exciting stage where we can start to restore pride of place and create a new safe and vibrant heart of the town for the benefit of local people and visitors. “There is much work to do, not least through the planning process, even before the first brick is laid and I want to stress this project will remain a partnership – that is absolutely vital.” The project will get underway with the formation of a programme board to be chaired by District Council Chief Executive Paul Wilson, and the appointment of a programme manager. A key part of the project is to celebrate the town’s heritage. A wide variety of future events will bring new life to the centre of Ashbourne, creating an environment where businesses will want to locate and invest, and residents and visitors spend time whilst supporting the local economy. There will be some necessary disruption to town centre traders during the transformation work, but Anne Wright, chair of Ashbourne Town Team, said: “We are delighted that Ashbourne has been awarded Levelling Up funding which will enable substantial improvements in our town centre and start to deliver on the strategic plan we identified at the start of this process. “We believe the public realm, traffic management and pedestrian projects, which are at the heart of the bid, will be transformational for the town. The success of this initiative is absolutely vital to kickstart the local economy and revive a positive experience in the town centre for residents and visitors.” Connections between town centre spaces will be improved and a comprehensive set of upgrades along Compton, Dig Street and St John Street will create a far better pedestrian experience, reducing the impact of vehicles and improving safety. The package will ensure Ashbourne takes its rightful place within the regional visitor economy, providing an attractive environment that draws in residents, visitors and businesses and re-establishes its identity as a flourishing market town. Ashbourne Methodist Church will become a community hub, offering a fresh, modern range of accommodation options for groups and families and an outdoor riverside garden event space will also link to a range of sustainable transport options to improve connectivity, including charging for e-bikes and scooters and connections to the Tissington Trail. The bid has been supported by the District Council’s expert consultant Michael Rich, Bentley Project Management, and Lathams Architects. Since the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid was submitted in July, work has continued by the District Council, its consultants and partners, in anticipation of positive news. Activity has included the establishment of shadow LUF governance arrangements, drafting role specifications for project staff, agreeing Heads of Terms for funding contracts, agreeing a communications strategy, reviewing project risk registers, and specifying detailed site survey requirements. As ‘Accountable Body’ for LUF funding, the District Council has already resolved to accept grant funds. The full Ashbourne Reborn bid amount – £13.3 million – has been granted by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The remainder of the £15 million project cost is made up from matched funding.

2023 Business Predictions: Adam Holland, Managing Director of Progressive Sports

It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Adam Holland, Managing Director of Progressive Sports. Employees in a happy team are more satisfied and healthier, and this can lead to better staff retention and productivity. Our job is to help children to enjoy being active, and it’s hard not to be happy when you see how much fun the children are having – we can learn a lot from them. Job satisfaction is key to the success of any business and, as we enter 2023, I think that it will be vital in all organisations – whether that’s in schools or the NHS, sports coaching or HR – to reward those doing well, and to create a happy and positive working environment. I believe that it’s also important to keep challenging and developing staff. Offering career growth opportunities to your employees improves your employee retention rates. We are lucky enough to have several apprentices working with us, who have blossomed during their time after seizing the opportunities given to them. Skilled employees are more productive, more valuable to your business and your clients and customers will see that you’re forward-thinking. I also believe that it’s essential to give back; I recently spoke with students at Burton & South Derbyshire College about my journey and gave advice on running a business. Giving back not only feels good, it benefits the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

2023 Business Predictions: Marc Brough, CEO of CUBO

It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Marc Brough, CEO of CUBO. The region’s economy suffered a series of shocks in 2022, with cost pressures hitting business activity and growth, but there are definitely signs of optimism as we embark on a new year. 2022 brought a further shift in the workplace, with demand for traditional offices falling. Flex office space continues to increase in popularity and from our experience at Cubo, this trend will continue into 2023. Over the past few years, flexible working has been the catalyst for a new type of workplace; the flex office. Flex workspaces provide businesses with the opportunity to adopt a working model that suits their needs more effectively. With tough times ahead, productivity will be key. Rather than being tied to a traditional office space, flex offices give control back to the business, enabling them to adopt a hybrid model of home and office working that will enable them to maximise productivity. As the year progresses, I predict we will see more businesses taking up smaller offices within flex office spaces to create a more intimate and collaborative working environment. These spaces are customisable with logos and core colours to retain brand identity. Recruitment difficulties continue to cause problems for businesses of all sizes, which has resulted in many of them being unable to grow their workforce. More and more employers see that flex office space not only makes sense from a business perspective, but from an employee recruitment and retention perspective too. I expect that continued economic instability will push the already high demand for flex office space still further due to companies preferring flexible terms rather than committing to long term lease arrangements. I predict that in 2023 more larger, well-established businesses will take up flex office space than ever before, exiting large long-term leased space in search of more appropriately sized options. As the workplace revolution goes on and hybrid working grows in popularity, flex office providers will need to understand their customers’ needs and be innovative in the way their spaces are used if they want to succeed. This will be particularly important as a new generation of employees with different requirements and expectations enter the workforce. I expect to see more flex office spaces established this year and companies that already operate flex offices will expand their portfolio due to increasing demand across the country. Cubo has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months and our growth is set to continue, with the launch of a number of new sites and expansion in areas where we already have a presence. As we enter 2023, I hope we will see some political stability and consistency from those people taking decisions on the direction of the UK economy following the debacle we faced during the final quarter of 2022.

Worksop Town Centre set for £20m investment

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Worksop is set to benefit from £20 million of investment, after the Government awarded Bassetlaw District Council an £18 million Levelling Up fund grant to transform the town centre. The Council and partners will contribute an additional £2 million in funding to support the Levelling Up project, bringing the total to £20 million. The funding will initially focus on the redevelopment of the Priory Centre including the creation of a new family-focused leisure facility with activities such as tenpin bowling, indoor soft play, a trampoline park and a café. The scheme will look to retain existing occupiers and bring in new tenants for empty units. The works will also create a new towpath link along the Chesterfield Canal, improve a green corridor through the town centre, and bring two sites forward for the development of new apartments and town houses. Councillor James Naish, leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “We have a long-term vision for the regeneration of Worksop town centre and the Levelling Up funding is key to attracting further investment and unlocking the town’s potential. “Our immediate focus will be the redevelopment of the Priory Centre with new leisure facilities, encouraging people into the town centre and giving visitors a reason to stay. This builds on the recent investment in the town centre through the Bridge Skills Hub and the new Middleton’s Yard development, creating a growing sense of confidence for Worksop.” The bid was shaped by a Levelling Up Board which included the District Council and Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith, and was chaired by Andria Birch, Chief Executive of BCVS. It will:
  • Redevelop the Priory Centre including the development of a brand-new leisure facility focused on family-orientated activities such as tenpin bowling, an indoor soft play facility, a trampoline park and a café. The redevelopment will retain existing occupiers and bring in new tenants for current empty units.
  • Deliver a new green footpath/towpath link along the Chesterfield Canal along with new moorings, capitalising on canal boat traffic whilst improving a green corridor through the town centre.
  • Create a footbridge over the Chesterfield Canal resulting in improved connectivity to the main town centre from the residential areas to the north of the town which is one of the most deprived areas within Bassetlaw.
  • Enable the redevelopment of the area for new town centre living, bringing two sites forward for development and encouraging underutilised space to be made into apartments and town houses.
  • Create a multi-functional market area with a new food court.
  • Create a new cycle hub that includes a cafe with changing facilities and bike lockers.
  • Improve the existing road surfacing to ensure there is defined access into the Shopping Centre.