Former power plant among new ‘pipeline’ of Derbyshire regen projects
Plans to regenerate the former Willington power station, around 5 miles south-east of Derby city centre, are among a list of prominent regeneration schemes being prioritised by Derbyshire County Council.
The 182-acre former coal power plant site was decommissioned in 1999 and the site has remained derelict for more than two decades since, following a partial demotion in 2003 which razed the site, with the exception of its five landmark cooling towers.
Also included in a list of schemes in the authority’s updated regeneration pipeline are the 1,500 home Staveley Growth Corridor, to the north of Chesterfield, and the regeneration of Buxton’s historic town centre including the relocation of the town’s library.
The plans, approved at the council’s cabinet this week, are set to be supported by a “significant amount of funding” provided through the East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA), the council says.
Earlier this week, combined authority Mayor Claire Ward announced a ten year regional growth plan aimed at adding £13bn to the economy of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
“We’re committed to working with EMCCA to drive a higher quality of life through investing in the Derbyshire economy, backing our commitment to create more prosperous, green and sustainable places with opportunities for everyone,” said Rob Reaney, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration.
“From building new road infrastructure to create jobs by opening up land for business development, to investing in skills and training to make sure we have a ready and able workforce to meet the demands of local industry, we’re confident that we have a pipeline of projects to address some of the key economic challenges for Derbyshire as and when funding is available.”
