The Heritage Team at Planning & Design Practice looks back on an eventful year filled with varied and impactful projects, from revitalizing historic mills to creating new community hubs.
It has been another exciting and productive year for our Heritage Team. We’ve had the privilege of working on an eclectic mix of buildings and developments, continuing our commitment to sensitive and sustainable heritage planning.
A Return to the Derwent Valley
The year started on a high note with the approval of a significant development alongside the Cromford Canal at Cromford. Working on behalf of Peak UK Kayaking Co Limited and in collaboration with James Boon Architects, our proposals for a new factory headquarters, community hub, and activity base were granted planning permission by Derbyshire Dales District Council.
This development is especially exciting as it marks the return of textile manufacture to the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site after many years, while also enabling local children to access the Cromford Canal for kayaking and water sports.
Community and Charity-Focused Work
Our team has continued to dedicate time to worthwhile charitable projects, including ongoing work at the Over the Wall Camp at Ockbrook Moravian Settlement. Following the planning and listed building consent obtained last year for the change of use of the former Ockbrook School, we submitted a further application this year for additional dining facilities. We are currently working on an options appraisal for the upper floors of the original Georgian school buildings, which will serve as the charity’s new UK headquarters, running activity camps for children with health challenges and disabilities.
We also played a small, but deeply meaningful, role in a community project in Derby, assisting with obtaining listed building consent for the addition of a plaque to the War Memorial outside St Helen’s House. This plaque will honor two former pupils of the grammar school (once housed in St Helen’s House) who tragically lost their lives during the First World War.
Revitalizing Derby’s Historic Buildings
Closer to home in Derby, we successfully secured listed building consent, working alongside Morrison Design Architects, for the change of use of Riverside Chambers—the former Derby Magistrate Court—into a stunning new wedding venue. The central riverside location of this grand civic building is sure to make it a popular choice for couples.
We also designed and obtained listed building consent for the renovation and subdivision of a truly unique building: 18th-century Manor Farm in Mickleover.
This delightful old building has remained a time warp for centuries while suburban Derby grew around it. We devised a sensitive renovation and subdivision scheme on behalf of Chevin Homes, with work due to commence in the new year.
Breathing New Life into Lumsdale Mill
Toward the end of the year, we were very pleased to obtain permission, in collaboration with Matthew Montague Architects, for the redevelopment of the historic Lumsdale Mill near Matlock for residential accommodation. Lumsdale is an atmospheric valley known for its waterfalls and abandoned 18th-century industrial buildings. This sensitive new development will create a wonderful place to live, and we are currently working on further restoration and redevelopment proposals in the valley that we look forward to bringing forward next year.
Looking Ahead
Finally, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ruth Matthews for her invaluable work as a Heritage Consultant over the last few years. Ruth is leaving us to fulfill her lifelong ambition of running an art gallery, and we wish her every success!
We are excited to welcome our new Heritage Consultant at the beginning of January and eagerly anticipate delivering many more challenging and exciting heritage projects in the year ahead.
Jon Millhouse, Director, Chartered Town Planner, Planning & Design Practice