Markham Vale extension earns council approval

A major extension to Markham Vale North, granted by Chesterfield Borough Council in December last year, has now been approved by Bolsover Council.

The decision marks a significant milestone for the project and follows three years of extensive discussions with both councils and the community.

It will enable the creation of a high-quality addition to the commercial offer at Markham Vale, further strengthening the local economy.

HBD, the developer behind Markham Vale, will work with Devonshire Property Group – part of Chatsworth House owner The Devonshire Group – to bring the scheme forward, with the potential to create up to 800 new jobs.

Andrew Byrne, property development director at Devonshire Property Group, said: “This is a highquality extension to an already successful employment location, and will make a real contribution to the strength of the local economy and the environment.

“It is a further demonstration of how the Devonshire Property Group business is actively investing into both Chesterfield and Bolsover, delivering on our stated ambitions of creating jobs and opportunities for local communities.”

The development will boast strong sustainability credentials, with an extensive landscaping plan that protects and improves the existing river corridor.

Significant planting will include around 5,700 trees, 3.7 hectares of new grassland habitat, and 2km of new native hedgerow to screen the development and create areas of new habitat.

Animal sanctuary to be built in Trowell

Licensed zookeeper Reece Oliver is forging ahead with plans to build a world-class sanctuary for endangered animals after securing a 23-acre plot of land in Nottinghamshire, in a deal agreed by commercial property consultancy Omeeto.

Plans have been submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council for the £10m development on land near Station House in Trowell and, if approved, he is hoping to start construction this spring.

Reece is best known for keeping rescued lions, a Canadian puma and 24 squirrel monkeys in specially-built enclosures in his back garden in Strelley.

Markham Vale, a joint venture partnership between HBD and Derbyshire County Council that began in 2006, has created more than 2,700 jobs across a wide range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing and logistics.

It is home to a range of businesses, including Bilstein Group, which manufactures and distributes automotive parts; Granger International, which manufactures waterproof outdoor products and shoe care products; and Sterigenics, a maker of sterile healthcare products.