A proposal to expand Dove Valley Park in Foston could bring up to 600 new jobs if approved by South Derbyshire District Council. The plan, submitted by Dove Valley Park Limited, seeks to extend the business park by 35 acres into surrounding land near the A50.

Council officers have recommended approval at a meeting on February 18, where councillors will make the final decision. If given the green light, the project would add four warehouse units of varying sizes and an innovation centre designed to support workforce training. Burton and South Derbyshire College would oversee the centre, which aims to train up to 100 apprentices annually.

A market assessment by Cushman and Wakefield highlights strong demand for warehouse space in the East Midlands, identifying potential tenants such as an online retailer, a pharmaceutical distributor, a local manufacturer, and a builders’ merchant. The report also highlights the region’s importance to the UK’s logistics sector.

The proposal has drawn objections from local residents, with concerns about the loss of agricultural land, increased traffic, and noise pollution from heavy goods vehicles. Critics argue that available sites within the current business park should be used first.

To address transportation concerns, the developer has pledged £185,000 to support public transit, enhancing the Burton-to-Uttoxeter bus route and adding links to Derby. Council planners acknowledge the project would alter the landscape but emphasise the potential economic benefits, job creation, and training opportunities.

Councillors will decide whether to approve the expansion at the upcoming meeting.

A new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has reached its latest milestone. Nottinghamshire County Councillors and partners gathered at the former Ravensdale School site in Mansfield to mark the completion of the building’s main structure, with a roof also in place. To be known as Horizons Academy and run by Diverse Academies Trust, the purpose-built school will have capacity for up to 160 pupils across the seven to 19 years age range. Due to open by spring term 2026, it will provide a specialist learning environment for children with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The £30 million project is part of a wider programme being delivered by the county council to create up to 490 additional SEND school places by 2026. This will help address the growing demand for more specialist school places across the county. David Cotton, Diverse Academies Trust chief executive officer, said: “We were delighted to attend the structure signing for Horizons Academy and it was a rare opportunity to leave an indelible mark within the building structure for future generations to come. “It was also incredible to see how far the building works have progressed – Horizons is truly on track to deliver an exceptional learning environment for young people in the local community with special educational needs.” The school is being designed, project and cost managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, with construction being undertaken by Morgan Sindall Construction. Sara Williams, Deputy Managing Director at Arc Partnership, added: “Horizons Academy is a special project for us. Particular attention has been given to how the design supports the particular needs of these young people, considering their movement around school and accommodating sensory zones and calm spaces to better support the pupils. “It was great to celebrate the school’s progress and we look forward to seeing how it benefits pupils and the wider community.” As well as the build, the £30 million costs include additional costs such as furniture and equipment.

Workplace consultancy Blueprint Interiors has completed a full interior design and fit out for Inizio’s new office in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Inizio, a commercialisation partner that specialises in healthcare, was formed in 2022 out of the combination of Ashfield Health and Huntsworth, under private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). Ashfield Healthcare opened its first office in Ashby-de-la-Zouch back in 2002. Marking a new chapter for Inizio in the region and continued investment in people and communities across the UK, the company took the lease of Excelsior House on Excelsior Road, just off junction 13 of the M42. With 18,000 sq ft across two floors, Blueprint Interiors were briefed to create a workspace that integrated teams, enabled collaborative working, offered creative and flexible spaces, and a place Inizio could welcome clients. The space now includes areas for diverse working styles and activities, such as hot-desking areas for collaboration and interaction across teams and departments, private spaces for focused work and confidential conversations, and a state-of-the-art control for hybrid and virtual events. In line with the company’s core values, the project had clear sustainable goals. The building’s EPC A rating was maintained, existing furniture was repurposed, and recycled products made from ocean plastic were installed. Other features of the fit out included exposed ceiling designs, sustainable bespoke furniture pods and meeting rooms named after Ashby’s traditional trades, such as Smithy, Forge and Cooper. Kate Kelly, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Inizio Engage, said: “The new office has truly transformed how we work. It’s an engaging, sustainable space that brings our Inizio Engage teams together and adapts perfectly to our evolving needs. Every detail reflects our unique culture and values, creating an environment where our people want to spend time because they feel empowered to succeed.” Chloe Sproston, Creative Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: “Having worked with Ashfield Healthcare before it became Inizio, it was fantastic to be supporting them again on their impressive new office space. Just six minutes from our own HQ, the Inizio team were pleased to have sourced a local partner, echoing its sustainable and community focusses. “After immersing ourselves in the Inizio business and culture, we interviewed stakeholders to gain a view of the company’s aims and ambitions. With a clear sense of the project goals, we set to work to create a dynamic workspace that met the needs of the evolving business. “The space we designed brings people together and reflects the culture of the teams based out of the Ashby-de-la-Zouch location. With areas for different styles of working and socialising, alongside sustainable practices, Inizio has a workplace which enhances its wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and environmental policies.” As fit out designer, supplier and main contractor, Blueprint Interiors worked alongside Gleeds as project manager. Emma Wiggin, Director at Gleeds, said: “We were pleased to provide project management services on this exciting new space for Inizio. It was fantastic to work alongside them and other project partners to help achieve their ambitions for an office that truly serves their purpose. It was also great to lead on the delivery of a project that prioritised circularity, which aligns with Gleeds’ focus on sustainable practices in construction.”