Commercial Development

As planning consultants and agents we have been working with the developers FW Harrison since 2011 to facilitate the largest single development site in the Derbyshire Dales. Work on this multi-million pound scheme will unlock land for employment and housing development, helping to drive the regeneration of Ashbourne.

Having first achieved outline planning permission in 2015 we obtained detailed consent for the link road and this led to a technical start being made on the road in 2019. Since then the county council submitted revised proposals for the roundabout and modifications to the link road and the developers submitted a fresh outline planning permission for the whole site which was agreed earlier this year.

The Airfield site will release up to 20ha of new industrial and commercial development. This will provide a major boost to the economy at a time when the economic performance of the Derbyshire Dales is being suppressed by Covid 19 lockdown restrictions. It should help to lower future unemployment rates in the Ashbourne area as it will allow the expansion of existing businesses located on the Airfield industrial estate, it will facilitate the creation of new businesses and attract new companies to the area.

The new link road will provide a second access onto Blenheim Road which will lower congestion on the Derby Road. It will provide a new high quality entrance to the town; the new road will be landscaped and will contain wide footpaths and a cycleway. A new bus service will be routed along the new road and the road and the commercial and industrial development will be drained to a large balancing pond which will also serve as an area for wildlife. The new development will reduce the potential for flooding from the Airfield and the new drainage features and landscaping will protect existing housing on the edge of the airfield from increased noise and disturbance.

There is planning permission for 367 houses and in Phase II of the development a further area of housing and community facilities is proposed as part of the Adopted Local Plan adding up to 1200 new homes. This is in line with sustainable development principles and will provide homes close to work, schools and neighbourhood shopping and community facilities. With good public transport and a network of footpaths and cycle ways, the extension of Ashbourne will create a balanced sustainable community. New areas of open space will be provided with play areas and areas for outdoor sports and recreation. There will be a choice in the modes of transport and the development will not rely on the private car. The Airfield presents a major opportunity for the District to accommodate new development sustainably, with housing for the whole community, from apartments and bungalows for the elderly to large family homes. There will be mixed tenure with the housing to rent as well as homes to buy. There will be affordable housing, some of which may be developed by the Council’s housing arm.

The opening up of the airfield site through the construction of the new roundabout and the link road is very exciting and is an important milestone in realising the vision for the site. This is a shared vision of the County and District authorities and by the developers and their consultants. All sides have worked hard to get this project off the ground and in these uncertain times the start of this key project is to be warmly welcomed.

Jonathan Jenkin, Managing Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Main Image: Jacobs Engineering

Planning & Design have a wealth of experience in designing and securing planning permission for commercial projects. We have the required skills to design both small and large scale schemes in-house and tailor the design to the client’s unique specifications.

Unsure of your site’s potential? Contact us on 01332 347371 for a no obligation consultation, we are able to provide our professional opinion on the planning potential of your property from the outset.