Derbyshire County Council has secured £2.7 million from Active Travel England to convert the former Little Eaton branch railway line into a multi-use pathway for walking, cycling, wheeling, and horse riding.

The 3.5-mile (5.6km) route will connect Little Eaton and Rawson Green, improving access to local employment and providing an active travel option for parents and children heading to Little Eaton Primary School.

The railway line, originally built in 1855 as part of the Midland Railway, saw its last train run in 1999, with tracks removed in 2011. The council acquired the disused line from Network Rail in 2014.

The project is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Officials say the new pathway will support local connectivity while reducing transport emissions.

A property consultancy’s Ashby team is set to work alongside a major water company to fulfil its ambitions of providing an affordable, sustainable service to customers over the next five years. Fisher German has been selected for the Severn Trent Water Land and Planning framework for its AMP8 five-year plan from 2025 to 2030, following a successful retender. Severn Trent’s plan focuses on developing new sustainable water sources, reducing network leaks, reducing pollution and saving customers money across its extensive area into Wales with Hafren Dyfrdwy. Fisher German’s utilities and infrastructure team, along with its planning team, will support Severn Trent Water by securing the necessary land for projects, advising on planning policies and applications, liaising with landowners, and providing guidance on net-zero initiatives. The work will be led by staff in its Ashby office alongside those in Stafford, Market Harborough, Worcester, Banbury and Newark, with additional support from teams in Chester, Knutsford and Doncaster as needed. This contract means Fisher German will have worked for Severn Trent Water for 21 years by the end of the contract, having first worked for the company in 2009. James Pegrum, Partner at Fisher German, said: “We are delighted to have successfully retendered to work with Severn Trent Water throughout its AMP8 cycle until 2030. “Having collaborated with Severn Trent for several years, our expert teams have already contributed to some crucial projects, including tailored planning advice to secure the construction of Hanchurch Reservoir near Stoke-on-Trent, and advice on pipeline diversions for HS2. “We aim to work closely with landowners and occupiers to minimise the impact of these works where they affect private land. “As we enter AMP8, Severn Trent and the water industry face significant pressure to deliver lasting value for customers while minimising environmental impact. “We look forward to helping Severn Trent achieve these goals over the next five years and are confident this will continue our excellent working relationship.” Leo Conway, Land and Planning Business Lead at Severn Trent, said: “We’re happy to welcome Fisher German back on to our framework for AMP8, which will include some complex and large-scale projects. “Fisher German has represented us well in the past and provided good advice across a range of different schemes and we’re pleased that they were successful in tendering to become a part of our Land and Planning Framework.” Fisher German will work on Severn Trent Water’s Land and Planning Framework for AMP8 alongside one existing supplier and two new suppliers.

Commercial property agents Rushton Hickman have let the ground floor suite at 82 High Street to Bay Leaf Care Limited. The office/retail space is located in the centre of Burton upon Trent, and since occupation the tenant has completed internal and external decorative works to create a more welcoming head office. The new tenant, Bay Leaf Care Limited, is a non-government-maintained childcare organisation who provide crucial and essential therapeutic residential care, for vulnerable children and young people aged 5-17 years old all over the United Kingdom. Taylor Millington, Senior Surveyor, said: “The work that Bay Leaf Care do is absolutely vital to help young children and so we were delighted to be able to help find them their new premises. The whole team at Rushton Hickman wish them the best with their new space.”

Family-owned retailer Boyes is expanding in Newark-on-Trent, relocating to the former Wilko unit in St Marks Place. The 30,000 sq ft space will allow the brand to offer a wider product range, anchoring the Shopping Centre and enhancing the town’s retail offering and experience. “This store will be one of the largest in our portfolio, enabling us to showcase our full product range for the people of Newark—something we hope they’ll be pleased with,” said Robert Van Der Heijden, Retail Operations Director at Boyes. Currently trading from 8,000 sq ft on Appleton Gate, Boyes’ move reflects both growing demand and the retailer’s commitment to Newark. The larger premises will improve the shopping experience, provide greater variety, and better serve the local community. “We are delighted to see Boyes expanding into this key retail space. Their commitment to Newark is a great sign of confidence in our scheme and in the town’s future,” said David Biggs, Asset Manager at Topland. “Right-sizing Boyes in the town and re-anchoring St Marks Place is fantastic news—not just for the landlord and adjacent tenants, but for shoppers who will now have access to a fuller retail offering, something they will have missed since losing the much-loved Wilko,” added Jack Shakespeare MRICS, Director at FHP. “With this move and the visible progress on the former M&S redevelopment by the local council, there’s a real sense of positivity on Newark’s high street.” The new store is set to open this summer.