A greener future may be on the cards at Markham Vale as Derbyshire County Council and HBD’s flagship regeneration site could become home to the county’s first all-electric vehicle charging forecourt – providing charge points for up to 36 vehicles at any one time just off the M1. Sustainable energy business GRIDSERVE wants to build the forecourt opposite the existing Enterprise Way service area with charge points for electric cars, HGVs and buses. If planning permission is granted, it would also create up to 25+ full time equivalent employment opportunities through the design, engineering, construction and operation phases. GRIDSERVE CEO, Toddington Harper, said: “We are committed to delivering EV charging infrastructure that both enables the transition to net zero carbon transport, and excites drivers to make the transition to electric vehicles. The geographical distribution of EV charging across the UK is essential to usher in the mass market era of electric vehicles. “This development would benefit the local community, and the wider UK as it reduces its reliance on fossil fuels. We are proud to have chosen the area of Markham Vale for this project and we hope the people across the region share our passion for delivering a cleaner, more sustainable future in the earliest possible timeframes.” Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “We welcome GRIDSERVE’s interest in Markham Vale and if their proposal is granted planning permission, the new EV forecourt will help to give motorists the confidence to make the switch to an electric vehicle and move us closer to our target of helping to get 1,000 public facing electric vehicle charge points in place throughout the county by 2025. “Decarbonising transport is one of our top priorities as part of our climate change strategy which aims to reduce emissions generated by the county council to net-zero by 2032 or sooner and help the rest of Derbyshire reduce carbon emissions generated within the county to net zero by 2050 or sooner.” Markham Vale is one of 100+ electric charging forecourts currently in development by GRIDSERVE and if planning permission is granted for the Derbyshire site it would be powered by renewable sources, with solar panels and on-site battery storage to capture and store electricity. Richard Hinds, development surveyor at HBD, said: “Markham Vale is one of the largest industrial and logistics schemes in the North, so it’s important that we look to the future to ensure that the right infrastructure is in place to provide motorists with clean energy. “We’re very pleased to welcome GRIDSERVE and look forward to working with the team as they bring their plans forward.” The planning application has been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council.

Newton LDP has been appointed by an established Leicestershire-based high net worth individual to manage a significant mixed property portfolio including approximately 3,000 acres. The new instruction comprises the owner’s private residence and grounds, agricultural land and farms, commercial forestry, let residential and commercial properties, stretching as far as Kent in the southeast to Scotland in the north. Management will fall under the scope of Newton’s LDP’s rural property team led by experienced Director Will Young, who joined the company in February, with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Newton LDP operates nationally, and will be overseeing the landowner’s responsibilities and working with the owner to deliver a strategy which maximises the value of the portfolio. Will, who has a strong agricultural background as the son of a farmer, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for us, and we are delighted to be able to add value and realise the potential of our client’s diverse estate. “Newton LDP continues to add to its existing and diverse range of experience and expertise to facilitate its ambitious growth strategy. “It is therefore pleasing to secure the management of this exciting new property portfolio just a couple months after launching our new rural property team which expands our offering to farmers, land and property owners.” Newton LDP also offers development consultancy and development land agency advice to a range of clients. Richard Foxon and Piers Beeton are experienced and respected operators within the development land sector and can demonstrate a proven track record, strong reputation, unrivalled contact base, complimented by exceptional market knowledge.

Grainger plc will launch its first build to rent development in Derby next spring – and has now revealed the development will be named ‘The Condor’. The city’s first purpose-built rental development, which is based on the former Debenhams site on Victoria Street, has been named in recognition of the city’s engineering excellence, celebrating the aircraft engine built by Rolls-Royce in Derby in 1918. Famously recognised for its powerful engine system, Rolls-Royce Condor III, was one of the first engines built by Rolls-Royce. With up to 675 horsepower, the engine was experimentally flown to explore the operations of a diesel engine in flight – an innovative development in aviation history. Much like the famed engine, The Condor will be first of its kind in the city of Derby – a purpose built private rental community. With construction work well underway, The Condor, which is due for completion in spring 2023, will offer 259 one and two-bedroom apartments. The development will feature 2,962 sq ft of internal ground floor amenity space for residents, including a shared resident’s lounge and co-working space, as well as 2,185 sq ft of external rooftop space with a terrace overlooking the new public square. In addition to a gym, secure car parking, bike store, and electric car charging points, residents will also benefit from complimentary superfast WiFi and the services of a dedicated onsite Resident Services Team. Leesa Ingham, head of marketing at Grainger, said: “When naming a Grainger development, we take great care and effort to research the local area and understand the heritage of the site. “We identified several themes for our first development in Derby, but loved the idea of ‘The Condor’, given its historic links to the city. We were delighted when Rolls-Royce kindly agreed to letting us use The Condor for the name. “We look forward to drawing further inspiration from the engine in our designs as we head towards completion and launch of The Condor in 2023.” A spokesperson for Rolls-Royce said: “The famous Condor engine was state-of-the-art technology in its day, and we’re delighted that it is still a source of inspiration today.” Paul Morris, development director at St James Securities, added: “We have always been committed to maintaining the heritage of the Becketwell area of Derby and are delighted that Grainger are recognising the city’s engineering excellence by naming the build to rent development after the iconic aero engine, which was built in Derby.”

LondonMetric has acquired an urban logistics property in Leicester as part of a duo of deals worth £28.8 million. The REIT has snapped up a 125,000 sq ft urban logistics forward fund development at Crosslink 646 in Leicester which consists of two units and is expected to complete at the start of 2023. The largest unit totalling 90,000 sq ft is pre-let to EM Pharma Ltd on a new 15 year lease. The smaller 35,000 sq ft unit will be developed speculatively. The property is expected to be certified BREEAM Very Good with the benefit of a solar PV installation. LondonMetric has also acquired a 9 acre site in Droitwich which is used for vehicle storage and let to Amazon. Andrew Jones, Chief Executive of LondonMetric, said: “We are continuing to allocate capital into the strongest geographies within the distribution sector, where we can benefit from attractive entry yields and structurally supported occupier demand to capture superior rental growth.”