County Hall cued up for overhaul in Matlock
Ahead of determination in the New Year, feedback is sought on a project including the Smedley’s Hydro hotel and residential, refurbishment of the Winter Gardens and the demolition of one of the Smedley Street link bridges.
Derbyshire County Council submitted plans in March this year for the project, which is expected to be considered at district council level, by Derbyshire Dales, in January.
Along with the headline elements, the project at the 83,000 sq ft complex also includes the demolition of various recent outbuildings on the site and general repairs and improvements. Listed building consent is also required for the scheme to advance.
HLM Architects is a key advisor on the project, having been appointed in 2022 to advise on the conservation and re-use of the listed but now underused civic complex.
Initial plans were put forward in 2024, and were well received, leading to the formal application in March. Montagu Evans is advising on planning.
The main thrust of the proposal is a change of use of the south block of County Hall into a hotel, Smedley’s Hydro, and associated uses and consent to turn County Hall’s north block into flats with commercial space on the ground floor. DCC expects this scheme to boost other local traders on Smedley Street.
One possible aspect of the scheme is the hotel being able to use the Winter Gardens space for events and conferencing, in addition to the spaces within the main building itself.
The final consent being sought as part of the integrated set of applications is outline planning permission for new homes and a new low cost, low energy office building for the council.
Local residents are able to submit their comments on the applications so that local councillors at the district council can take those into account.
This illustrative artist’s impression shows how ne-build could be added to the revamped estate. Credit: planning documents
Cllr Alan Graves, leader of the Reform-controlled county authority, said: “We’ve taken our time since being elected to have a good look at this project and what it would mean for the council, our employees and local residents.
“We believe this is a really exciting project. The economic benefits to the local community are huge – we expect to add £66m to Matlock’s economy through increased visitor spend.
“It will create 100 new permanent jobs and over 800 construction roles, and apprenticeships in hospitality, construction and restoration. By restoring this magnificent building and return it to its original purpose as Smedley’s Hydro saves it for future generations.”
The council said that County Hall costs it “a huge amount to upkeep, and does not offer the right sort of office accommodation for the 21st century”.
Naming the hotel Smedley’s Hydro would return to public use the original name of the site, which was developed by hydropath John Smedley in the 1860s. Requisitioned for use by military intelligence in World War II, the council took over in 1955. The building was listed in 1972.
Other councils have previously found success in selling off grand civic buildings for more fitting modern day uses: in 2017 Liverpool City Council brought in around £10m for its Municipal Buildings complex in the city centre, Fragrance Group buying the asset to turn it into a hotel. This opened in 2023 after a £40m redevelopment.
Documents outlining the scheme in full can be seen on Derbyshire Dales’ planning portal with the reference 25/00272/FUL.
