A £1 million funding proposal from the East Midlands Combined County Authority could enable the construction of 200 additional homes in Wingerworth, Derbyshire. The funding would support a new southern access road to The Avenue, a former industrial site that underwent a £185 million remediation effort.
The Avenue, once a heavily contaminated coking plant, closed in 1992 after four decades of coal, gas, and chemical production. The site was redeveloped after extensive cleanup with housing and a 220-acre country park.
North East Derbyshire District Council approved plans for 469 homes in 2014, with 252 already completed by Tilia Homes. However, further expansion is contingent on infrastructure upgrades. Derbyshire County Council has proposed a £1.3 million project to upgrade the junction at Derby Road and Mill Lane, adding traffic signals to improve access. Work is expected to start in October and be completed by March 2026.
The improvements would also unlock 10 acres of commercial space and enhance public transport connections. Local officials stress that without public funding, further development of homes and business facilities may be stalled.
