Derbyshire eyes developer for £130m Matlock scheme
Derbyshire County Council is set to press ahead with plans to redevelop its existing offices at Smedleys Hydro, with a number of potential developers now shortlisted for the scheme.
The authority announced plans to quit the “under used” 19th century County Hall building in Matlock last year due to “significant maintenance pressures” and high running costs, a bill which the council says exceeds £3m a year.
Plans to redevelop the 14-acre plot as a hotel and leisure complex were submitted by the county council in March last year, with around 100 homes and a 54,000 sq ft replacement office block also included in a masterplan for the site.
- READ MORE: County Hall cued up for overhaul in Matlock
Derbyshire County Council forecasts that once complete, the project could add £66m to the Matlock economy and £145m across Derbyshire, with the authority looking to its development partner to access private sector investment and other sources to fund the project.
The council says it has now completed drawing up a shortlist of preferred developers, with priority given to those with “proven track records of success” in heritage redevelopment projects.
A final decision on the preferred partner is expected to be announced early 2027.
The grade two-listed building played a key role in Matlock’s development as a Victorian spa town. Founded as Smedley’s Hydropathic
Establishment in 1853, it offered a variety of baths and water treatments.
The council repurposed the site as council offices in 1956, but says it is now “not fit for purpose” as a local authority headquarters, adding that its regeneration scheme will return the site to a use more in-keeping with its original purpose.
A consultation document put forward last year said the scheme would open up the buildings for community use, as well as attracting new businesses to the town.
“Our team of experts has considered how we can sensitively restore the historic, grade two-listed buildings and Winter Gardens, taking account of the challenges, to give the buildings a new lease of life that will celebrate its heritage and focus on creating opportunities to support our community,” it said.
Council Leader Councillor Alan Graves said the redevelopment of Smedley’s Hydro would secure the long-term future of County Hall as a place that supports Derbyshire’s growth and heritage.
“It is important that we appoint a development partner who shares our ambition to protect this iconic building and deliver lasting benefits for Derbyshire,” he said.
“Ensuring that County Hall continues to serve our communities for generations to come is our key priority and we are confident that each of our shortlisted developers have the understanding and expertise to unlock value from historic assets such as ours.”
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.
Montagu Evans is advising on planning.
Documents and plans relating to the proposals can be found on Derbyshire Dales’ planning portal under reference: 25/00272/FUL
