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.
