A market-ready large scale commercial development in the East Midlands expects to announce a series of major deals in the coming months. New Stanton Park in Derbyshire will see the former Stanton Ironworks site redeveloped into a major destination for manufacturing and logistics businesses, with the site capable of hosting 2.2 million square feet of space and up to 4,000 jobs. The site has been brought to market by Verdant Regeneration, which has also revealed that it has been successful in attracting international company Fassa Bortolo from Italy to build a bespoke new manufacturing plant at the site. It is also in advanced talks with a number of other national and international businesses looking to expand into the East Midlands by moving to New Stanton Park. David Grier, a director of Verdant Regeneration, said: “New Stanton Park was an industrial landmark in the East Midlands for decades and with the investment we have made in redeveloping the site it will become a major commercial destination again. “Remediation of the full site means that this is the most deliverable major industrial development in the region. Our ability to accommodate people swiftly is one of the key reasons for the significant interest we have attracted from businesses looking to expand.” Verdant has already welcomed DX Group to New Stanton Park, the delivery solutions specialist opening a 22,000 sq ft regional hub on the site. Verdant is now working closely with the planners at Erewash Borough Council to bring forward further development at the site. New Stanton Park will also include branches of McDonald’s and Starbucks, while fast EV charging will also be available. New Stanton Park has been highlighted by East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward as one of the most important development sites in the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s Investment Prospectus, which is being promoted at the national and international UKREiiF event in Leeds next month. The site is being marketed by agents M1, Kimmre and Innes England. James Keeton, of M1 Agency, said: “The Verdant team has invested heavily in preparing the site for occupiers, with site infrastructure and outline planning in place. “This is capable of delivering 28m eaves height, utilities support is excellent and with the sheer scale of the plot sizes – plot 2 alone is 70 acres and capable of accommodating a single 1m sq ft building – we’re confident that New Stanton Park will soon be home to major national and international occupiers. “Verdant is currently building out speculatively on plot 1, with occupier deals secured and further announcements across the wider plot expected shortly. The principal development land is all being supported by the amenity plot for McDonald’s and Starbucks, which is also on site. Cumulatively, this is a hugely positive inward investment story for the region and the UK.” Verdant’s investment in the site also reflects the long-term commitment to the area of its director David Ward, whose recycling business already employs hundreds of local people. He said: “We have huge ambitions for New Stanton Park – this was a significant industrial landmark for many decades and will certainly become one again. “Besides the site remediation and infrastructure, we have also invested in the environment so that the green spaces, recreational fishing ponds, and wildlife around New Stanton Park are protected and nurtured. “We want to see this become a major source of employment for Erewash and to support the Mayor’s ambitions for the growth of the wider East Midlands economy.”

Derby City Council is considering purchasing a 7.5-acre brownfield site on Stores Road to accommodate infrastructure for a new weekly food waste collection service, set to launch in April 2026. The land will house a Highways Hub, freeing up space at the existing depot, which is already operating at capacity. The purchase is part of the Stores Road Depot Scheme under the Council’s Capital Programme.

Under new ‘Simpler Recycling’ regulations, local authorities must introduce separate weekly food waste collections. Derby currently provides fortnightly collections mixed with garden waste. To meet the new requirements, £1.6 million in capital funding from Defra will support the purchase of 14 collection vehicles, food waste caddies, and staff. An additional £500,000 in revenue funding will be provided in March 2025 to assist with public awareness efforts.

The new service aims to improve waste management efficiency, reduce disposal costs, and increase recycling rates. Food waste collected in caddies will be processed separately rather than sent to landfills. As the council develops the service, businesses involved in waste management, transport, and infrastructure may see contract opportunities.

Rula Developments has secured a 39-acre site in Bingham, located 8 miles east of Nottingham, from The Crown Estate to create a new business park, Bingham 46. The site has outline consent for employment uses, with plans to offer a mix of trade counters, offices, manufacturing, warehousing, general industrial, and roadside facilities.

The park will provide over 500,000 sq ft of space, with units ranging from 10,000 sq ft to 350,000 sq ft, subject to planning approval. The development will feature low site density and exceed current biodiversity net gain standards, aiming for a 15% increase. Sustainable design features include photovoltaic panels, air-source heat pumps, and energy-efficient lighting. The project will also target an A-rated EPC and BREEAM Excellent certification.

Strategically located near the A46 dual carriageway, the site benefits from strong transport links to Nottingham, Newark, Grantham, and Leicester and regular bus and train services. The masterplan includes pedestrian and cycle linkages and connections to the adjacent housing development, offering access to the town centre’s amenities.

Rula Developments is working closely with The Crown Estate on the scheme and will submit a reserved matters application soon. The development aims to attract both local and regional businesses by offering high-quality facilities and access to a skilled workforce.

Savills and M1 Agency are handling the forward letting and sale of the development, which is expected to provide significant local employment opportunities.

Grimsby’s new Horizon Youth Zone has reached a major construction milestone, with work now complete on the roofline of the final building, which offers a first glimpse of how the development will look on the town’s skyline. Located on Garth Lane, the development is being delivered by national charity OnSide in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, which is contributing to the development as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, and the Department of Culture Media and Sport, through the Youth Investment Fund. The site is being transformed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter and is due to open this autumn. As part of the work, a series of Grade II listed 19th century maltings and grain store buildings, known as West Haven Maltings and Migar House, have been fully restored and repurposed. The middle part of the building sits at the heart of the development alongside the River Freshney and on a river wall which had to be rebuilt using a pontoon in the river to create a safe working platform. The building had fallen into a state of disrepair but it has been rebuilt, and work is now complete on its new roof structure. In addition to the refurbishment and restoration aspects of the project, the final piece of the scheme will see Hobson & Porter constructing a large outdoor multi-use games area (MUGA). Horizon Youth Zone will offer a safe and inspiring place for young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, to enjoy their leisure time. Joe Booth, Business Development Director from Hobson & Porter, said: “With construction due to complete this summer ahead of the Youth Zone opening in autumn, this part of the development and restoration of the building, which was in a poor state of disrepair, is an achievement worth marking for the whole project team. “It’s been a highly complex part of the scheme, that also required a retaining river wall to be built, but it’s the final piece of the jigsaw that now shows how Horizon Youth Zone will integrate into Grimsby’s skyline. “The feedback we’ve received from the people of Grimsby has been fantastic, regardless of whether or not they’re connected to the project, because it’s given these buildings and this site a new lease of life and is going to make a huge difference to so many local young people, as well as bringing a state-of-the-art facility to the town.” Lucy Ottewell-Key, CEO of Horizon Youth Zone, said: “We’re delighted with how work is progressing and to see the completed roofline on this final building feels like a major milestone ahead of our opening later this year. “There’s a genuine buzz across North East Lincolnshire about Horizon Youth Zone and what it means for young people throughout the region, especially because so many local businesses, organisations and patrons are supporting us and making it possible, which is very exciting for everyone involved.” Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private sector led board, and once opened, it will be part of the OnSide network of 15 Youth Zones nationwide, which support over 50,000 young people annually. After completion, it’s estimated that Horizon could benefit up to 4,000 young people from North East Lincolnshire each year. Capital funders of Horizon Youth Zone comprise of Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Youth Investment Fund, Evergreen Life, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Ørsted and Greencoats Wind UK. Horizon Youth Zone is also building a family of Founder Patrons, comprising of local organisations and philanthropists, who will support the Youth Zone during its first four years.

Logicor, an owner, manager, and developer of European logistics real estate, has completed its latest logistics and manufacturing site, Derby 507. This 508,003 sq ft development is set to create up to 1,000 jobs for the local community, providing a boost to the region’s economy. Based in Infinity Park Derby, Derby 507 is located within a hub of major manufacturers including Rolls Royce, Toyota, JCB, Alstom, and Nestle. Derby 507 has also achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating and an EPC A+ rating. The facility will include 30 secure cycle spaces, multiple EV charging stations, and solar installations to promote renewable energy use. Charlie Howard, Logicor, UK Managing Director, said: “We are focused on creating high-quality logistics spaces that support local economies and enhance the logistics infrastructure across the UK. The development will provide significant employment opportunities while facilitating growth for businesses in the region.”

Christopher Tebbs, Inward Investment Executive at Marketing Derby, said: “Logicor’s investment into the ‘Derby 507’ scheme shows great confidence in the city from a major global investment player. This new 508,000 sq ft speculative build has the potential to support over 1,000 jobs for the local area whilst attracting a world-class end-user. “This commitment furthermore speaks volumes about the wider Infinity Park Derby scheme, which is set to become one of the region’s new Investment Zones under the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).”