Plans for a landmark structure as part of a £6 million town centre improvement plan in Staveley, Derbyshire have been formally submitted.
The news means Staveley town centre is now a step closer to being revitalised under the Staveley 21 scheme, which will deliver a new marketplace, public realm, shops and connectivity with Chesterfield Canal.
Regional complete construction partner Stepnell, appointed through the Procure Partnerships Framework (PPF), has worked collaboratively with Chesterfield Borough Council and consultant partners, Whittam Cox, Rodgers Leask and Ares Landscapes, to progress the project’s plans and prepare it for the design and build stage.
The scheme forms part of a wider package of projects being delivered under the Staveley Town Deal, which saw it awarded £25.2m in March 2021 through the government’s Towns Fund deal.
If planning is approved, the new two-storey landmark pavilion building will sit between the Staveley Miners Welfare building and Staveley High Street, as a striking new focal point in the heart of the town centre.
Designed by local architects, Whittam Cox, the pavilion building aims to reflect Staveley’s heritage with a modern twist, opening up the view of the historic town from the marketplace. Several uses for the building are currently being considered, including as a potential site for a new library, retail and leisure amenities, and business start-ups.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said:
“Staveley 21 is our latest project on the Procure Partnerships Framework, through which we are showcasing our vast experience of collaborating with local authorities and partners to enhance public town centre spaces.
“We are a Champion of Chesterfield, and have previously delivered the Wellbeing Hub at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Trust. The same team is currently nearing completion on the refurbishment of the Bluebell Ward at the town’s Walton Hospital as part of the NHS’s Make Room for Dignity Programme to improve mental health provision for older patients.
“As a complete construction partner, we will deliver exceptional quality throughout all aspects of the design and build stages that will generate lasting value to the community of Staveley. By working alongside the needs of residents and businesses in the town, Staveley 21 will enhance the wider package of works as part of the Staveley Town Deal.”
Staveley 21 includes the transformation of the marketplace to create an enlarged public space to support existing uses, such as regular markets, and provide a new public space to host a wide range of outdoor events to encourage footfall to the town centre.
Proposals include tiered seating to support an outdoor theatre and open-air cinema screenings, as well as natural play equipment to help make the marketplace feel more attractive to families.
New paving, energy efficient lighting, street furniture and landscaping will help create an enhanced atmosphere and visitor experience at any time of day or night, while new signage will help connect the town centre with Staveley’s other visitor attractions, including Chesterfield Canal and Staveley Hall.
Ivan Fomin, chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said:
“The Staveley 21 project has the potential to be transformative for the town centre, ensuring that it is a place where local people and visitors will want to spend time whilst also supporting local businesses to grow not only now but in the future. Our aim through the town deal is ensuring that Staveley is a place where people can Start, Stay and Grow and the town centre reflects this with something to entice all ages to visit, support local businesses and to help them to grow.”
During the development of Staveley 21, Stepnell will work with local schools and colleges to increase employment opportunities, particularly for those facing barriers to employment, and engage with the town centre’s community stakeholders.
If the proposals are passed, works are expected to start summer 2024, with completion scheduled for July 2025.
