Posted on November 14, 2014

Chesterfield Borough Council recently published the following press release on the Town Centre Masterplan which AspinallVerdi and WCEC have been appointed to update:

A masterplan, which sets out the long-term vision for retail, commercial and residential growth in Chesterfield town centre, is to be updated.

Chesterfield Borough Council has appointed a firm of local architects to assess existing  plans for the town centre, while protecting the area’s heritage including the ‘Crooked Spire’ and the historic market place.

Chesterfield-based architects WCEC will work with property consultants Aspinall Verdi to update and review the Town Centre Masterplan, which was adopted in 2009.

Since the plan was introduced Chesterfield has consistently outperformed similar sized towns, with shop vacancy rates being among the lowest in the country.

Despite this success town centres across the UK are facing new challenges. Aspinall Verdi and WCEC will look at these and come up with proposals to address them.  The council will use this information to plan future projects and policies within the town centre.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration, said: “Since the last masterplan was put in place in 2009, we have made real progress.

“This has included the redevelopment of the Market Hall, which reopened last year, the artwork in the Yards area, the Growth sculpture at Hornsbridge roundabout and the improvements to the railway station approach.

“We need to build on this by taking into account new opportunities, such as the University of Derby’s investment in the St Helena Centre, as well as challenges, such as the empty Co-op building and the impact of online shopping on town centres.

“It is right, then that we look again at our plans for the future of the town centre to plan future projects and investment. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to employ a local firm to help us do this.”

Andrew Dabbs, Director of WCEC said, “We are privileged  to have been appointed for this important role.

“There is much to be celebrated already in this historic market town and it will be our challenge to ensure that any proposal safeguards the future of the town, as well as, the existing assets that make Chesterfield such a unique place to live and visit.”

Ben Aspinall director of Aspinall Verdi added, “We are pleased to be working alongside Chesterfield Borough Council to develop a strategy for Chesterfield’s future regeneration plans.

“We aim to build on the excellent work to date and deliver a platform for future developments”

The updated masterplan will be in place in early December.