Work ‘progressing well’ to rejuvenate old Coalite site near Chesterfield

Property development and investment firms St Francis Group and iSec will build five industrial warehouses at the sprawling location off Buttermilk Lane, Shuttlewood, as part of the first phase of a scheme called Horizon29.

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Planning applications are pending for the creation of three more units in a second phase.

The development will be 1.4 million square feet in total and will also see upgrades to surrounding roads.

The old Coalite site, which has lain derelict since 2004, has been dubbed an eyesore and health hazard by residents.

Gareth Williams, development director of St Francis Group, said: “Horizon29 is one of the East Midlands’ newest and most refined industrial developments.

“The project will meet the very best standards expected by today’s occupiers, with bespoke buildings built to meet any specific requirements.

“The units will sit in a prime logistics environment just minutes from the M1 motorway, making it one of the UK’s most prominent new industrial and logistics parks.”

Nigel Lax, development director of iSec, added: “Horizon29 will be opening for business and available to logistics and manufacturing companies looking to return to some degree of normality in the not too distant future and capitalises on an outstanding location close to Chesterfield, Sheffied Nottingham and Derby.”

The developers are working closely with North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, Derbyshire County Council and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Project (LEP).

Sajeeda Rose, chief executive of the D2N2 LEP, which is part-funding the project, said: “I’m pleased to see the first phase of the Horizon29 development progressing well.

“As thoughts turn to how our region recovers from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, projects like Horizon29 will be key in supporting our regional economy recovering and creating jobs for our people and communities.”

A spokesperson for St Francis Group and iSec said: “The developers have completed extensive ground works and infrastructure upgrades on this strategic brownfield site and are shortly to start works to improve the local highway network and service upgrades to enable the delivery of development plots in early 2021.”

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