800 jobs on the cards as Markham Vale extension gets green light

Some 800 jobs could be created at Markham Vale in Derbyshire after Chesterfield Borough Council approved plans for a major extension to the landmark industrial development.

650 new homes and a host of community facilities at nearby Mastin Moor have also been approved by the authority.

Both projects are being undertaken by Devonshire Property Group. Work on Mastin Moor is due to start in summer 2023, with the Markham Vale extension set to follow later in the year.

Devonshire Group will deliver the latest phase of Markham Vale in conjunction with commercial developer HBD.

The extension is expected to pay strong attention to its natural surroundings.

Proposals include an extensive landscaping plan which makes the most of the site’s existing features whilst protecting and improving the river corridor.

5,700 new trees, 3.7ha of new grassland habitat and two kilometres of new native hedgerow to screen the development and create areas of new habitat also form part of the plans.

Andrew Byrne, property development director at Devonshire Property Group, said: “We are delighted that the planning committee has approved these exciting projects. They will bring hundreds of much needed new jobs and homes to the area and, just as importantly, throughout their development we are taking a considered and sensitive approach to improving environmental standards and to the provision of training and skills.

“The extension to the business park at Markham Vale is expected to create up to 800 new jobs for local people at what is a very successful development already supporting 2,700 jobs in a variety of sectors. We’ve put in place an extensive landscaping plan, which includes protecting and improving the river corridor, and extensive tree and hedgerow planting as well as a large area of grassland. We’re also working with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to improve the wildlife habitats on a nearby site that will result in an overall 10% net gain in biodiversity.”

Byrne added: “This is a high-quality extension to a highly successful employment location, with the aim of making a real contribution to the strength of the local economy.”