5,000 jobs take a step closer as funding deal set to be approved

Thousands of new homes and jobs have taken a step closer after it has emerged that Derby City Council’s Cabinet are set to grant powers and transfer funding to Derbyshire County Council.

The two authorities, along with South Derbyshire District Council, are working to bring forward the South Derby Growth Zone which includes the Infinity Park Derby and Infinity Garden Village.

The authorities have already received an “in principle” of £49.6m from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF), which is reliant on a full LUF Business Case being submitted.

Cabinet members will now decide whether to approve the transfer of £500,000 of Homes England Garden Villages funding to the County Council to finalise the business case.

This scheme will include up to 4,500 new homes, 3.4m sq ft of employment space, and a further 5,000 jobs for the city.

These new homes would form the new Infinity Garden Village, one of 14 new Garden villages announced by the Government in 2017 as a response to meeting local housing needs – especially for first-time buyers.

The County Council are also set to be granted highways powers within Derby City’s boundaries to allow them to progress works on a junction and link road at the A50, which will unlock maximum benefit from the scheme.

Councillor Steve Hassall, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Decarbonisation, Strategic Planning & Transport, said: “The South Derby Growth Zone is a big opportunity to deliver high quality housing and jobs for Derby, whilst also providing a brand-new transport link in the south of the city. Entering into these collaborative agreements demonstrates our commitment to the project and to the city.

“By allowing the transfer of powers and funds to our colleagues at Derbyshire County Council, we can ensure good progress continues to be made towards the completion of the LUF business case and delivery of the new road junction.”

The recommendation will be discussed at Cabinet on Wednesday February 15.