Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Planning secured for 1,600 new homes and commercial development in Northampton

Tess Egginton
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Planning secured for 1,600 new homes and commercial development in Northampton
Outline planning permission (subject to Section 106 agreement) has been approved for up to 1,600 new homes, along with major commercial development at Overstone Green, an area of land located to the north east of Northampton. Pegasus Group secured the outline permission from West Northamptonshire Council on behalf of Davidsons Developments Ltd and L&Q Estates. The scheme, on land east of Kettering Road, Overstone, is set to secure and deliver the balance of the Northampton North Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) as allocated in the adopted West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy. The plans, which were recommended for approval by planning officers and unanimously approved by Councillors, also include works to accommodate a new section of A43 dual carriageway along with the development of 5.73ha of commercial land to include an employment area, local centre, new primary school and an assisted living/residential care home. Rachel Pramayon from Davidsons Development Ltd said: “We are delighted that outline permission has been granted for this exciting scheme which is set to deliver a high quality development focusing on place making and design.” Richard Edwards from L&Q Estates said: “This is an excellent outcome that has resulted from several years of hard work and effort from all the team. This is an important strategic site for our business located in a strong market area and we look forward to delivering the infrastructure the site to enable serviced parcels to be sold to our housebuilder clients.” Pegasus Group provided a range of services throughout the project, including planning, design, economics, environmental and heritage expertise. The outline plans approved are:
  • Up to 1,600 homes
  • Up to 5.73ha of mixed-use commercial land, including a local centre, over 55s living/residential care home, community hub and light industry/office accommodation
  • A 2-form entry primary school
  • Public open space, including allotments and children’s play space(s)
  • Structural landscape planting
  • Associated infrastructure including drainage features, footpaths and cycleways and vehicular access

Lincolnshire’s Property & Business Investment Expo gathers pace

Steve Fisher
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Lincolnshire’s Property & Business Investment Expo gathers pace
Lincolnshire’s free to attend Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo returns on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln. Business Link Magazine is a proud partner of the well targeted event aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets. Opening at 9am, the expo will also host a seminar, and as the exhibition closes, it will roll directly into an informal, open buffet style network lunch – tickets are just £25 plus vat and can be ordered and paid for directly online. Spaces for the lunch are limited, so order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Tina King, of Business Shows Group, said: “It’s been a long time in the making thanks to the pandemic, but we are finally nearly there, The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo is gearing up to be one of the best to date!” To attend the event, register for free here. To generate opportunities by exhibiting at the event, click here. Purchase tickets to the networking lunch here. Meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road.

Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show returns after two year forced break

Steve Fisher
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Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show returns after two year forced break
A town’s popular classic car show is set to roar back into life this summer having been cancelled the last two years because of the Covid pandemic. The Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show will hit the road on Sunday, August 14 bringing the sights and sounds of yesteryear to the town centre. This will 10 years since the first show,  filling the Market Place and surrounding streets with colourful memories and attracting exhibitors and visitors from across the country. Organisers Erewash Partnership Events – a sister company of enterprise agency Erewash Partnership – hope the revitalised free extravaganza will again be a major attraction after organisers had to cancel it the last two years because of social distancing restrictions and fear of spreading the virus. Before then it had grown rapidly over seven years to attract thousands of visitors of all ages to make it the biggest one day event in the town. Families have wandered around hundred of classic and sports cars, motorbikes and scooters, lorries, buses, tractors and steam engines enjoying chats with proud owners about their history. As well as a great day out there are other benefits – local businesses have opened up on the day enjoying extra trade, charities have received much-needed cash and the event has boosted the profile of both Ilkeston and the Partnership. The organisers have already had offers of sponsorship from Ilkeston firms car dealer Ron Brooks Toyota and  Larklands Body & Paint Centre, and Pidcock Motorcycles of Long Eaton. Proving the show’s popularity, a new sponsor has come forward – Alliance Group Solutions of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, who have done groundwork on the re-opened Bennerley Viaduct and flood defences in the Ilkeston area. These sponsors have provided almost half the income towards the £7,000 target for putting on the show – but more are needed to ensure it goes ahead as planned. The organisers are also hoping to recruit more volunteers to set up and close down the displays and act as marshals. So well-liked is the show that when there was a preliminary mention on Facebook the item attracted 10,000 views in a day. Ian Viles, chief executive of Erewash Partnership, said: “We are thrilled at the prospect of putting on the car show again and providing an entertaining day out for past attendees as well as new ones which we hope will boost spirits after a difficult time “Once we are confident that we have received enough support we will then make exhibitors tickets available to book online.  We look forward to welcoming people to what we hope will be a great day.”    

Vision unveiled for historic mills site

Tess Egginton
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Vision unveiled for historic mills site
Property developer Wavensmere Homes has revealed details of its latest development, which will be built on the site of a historic Derbyshire mills complex. The scheme, called Milford Mills, would be built at the 4.7-acre heritage landmark, on the A6, between, Duffield and Belper – and would feature 69 properties, comprising a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. The project will be delivered in partnership with Chevin Homes, which will be restoring two buildings at the site – The Dye House and The Pattern House – to create retail, office and leisure space. James Dickens, Managing Director at Wavensmere Homes, which is currently building the 900-home Nightingale Quarter scheme, in Derby, said: “Milford Mills will offer peaceful, countryside living yet is also conveniently located within just a few miles of Derby centre. “Derby is currently seeing huge economic regeneration and investment at the moment, and we look forward to continuing to build communities in this region.” John Fearnehough, director at Chevin Homes, said: “The development of this high-profile and historic site is a labour of love for Chevin and now that we have cleared the site in readiness for development, we’re delighted be working with regeneration specialists Wavensmere on this special project.” The Milford Mills site is located seven miles north of Derby city centre in the heart of the Derwent Valley. Positioned along the River Derwent, the development is set within the countryside landscapes of Milford village centre. The Milford Mills site is part of Derbyshire’s industrial heritage and dates back to 1780 when the former mills were some of the world’s first mechanised industrial spinning factories. The project will include the restoration of key historic features, including the mill building, a 40-meter chimney and a lade for a hydro-electric mill that will be opened up and exposed. The development sits on Milford Bridge, which was built in 1793 by Jedediah Strutt, who was a hosier and cotton spinner from Belper. Jedediah Strutt is the man who connected and built all the sites in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site – including the Belper and Milford Mills.
  Wavensmere Homes and Chevin Homes will now look to transform the site, which will feature cottage-style homes designed by architects Gould Singleton. Design features include natural stone facades to compliment the surrounding architecture of Milford and nearby Belper. Work on the Milford Mills is expected to begin this spring. James said: “We look forward to working closely with Chevin Homes to produce a beautifully designed site that will be perfect for families, first-time buyers and investors.”

University of Derby offers fully funded support for Derbyshire businesses

Tess Egginton
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University of Derby offers fully funded support for Derbyshire businesses
Businesses across the Derbyshire Dales and High Peak areas can access funded support from the University of Derby between now and the start of the summer to help them recover, grow and innovate. Working in partnership with East Midlands Chamber, Derbyshire County Council, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire and The Food and Drink Forum, the University is offering fully funded support to businesses in these areas, as part of the East Midlands Accelerator Programme. Part-funded by the UK government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, businesses can access fully funded workshops, training, masterclasses and events, and networking through Derbyshire Accelerator until 30 June 2022. The University and its partners are urging businesses to register their interest soon to ensure they don’t miss out on this opportunity. Through Derbyshire Accelerator, the University is offering support to help identify the strengths and weaknesses of a company’s business model, as well as develop a pathway to improvement or growth. This can be achieved through support to develop the skills of a company’s leaders and workforce, make better use of digital tools and technology, or develop new processes, products and services. The Derbyshire Net Zero Accelerator Programme can also provide an opportunity for businesses to improve their energy, resource and operational efficiency; reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions; gain green business skills and take some giant steps in their journey towards Net Zero. Firms with membership will have access to a new sustainable business platform that will allow them to calculate and manage the carbon footprint of their company. In addition, the University is offering SME’s in the Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark, Sherwood and Nottingham City areas fully funded places on its Help to Grow: Management programme. Professor Kamil Omoteso, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Business, Law and Social Science at the University, said: “We are delighted to be part of Derbyshire Accelerator and providing the support needed to help businesses recover, grow and innovate following the pandemic. “By taking part in the programme, participants can access support with leadership and workforce development, digital innovation and adoption, product, process and service innovation, as well as the Derbyshire Net-Zero Accelerator to help them realise their growth ambitions.”

Sanctions on Russia increases threat of cyber attack on firms

Steve Fisher
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Sanctions on Russia increases threat of cyber attack on firms
Increasing levels of sanctions on Russia are leading to an increased threat of cyber attack, warns online payment specialist Takepayments Ltd. Amongst firms surveyed by the company fears are greatest amongst businesses in engineering, manufacturing, and the law, which has prompted the company to ask James Bore, Director of Bores Security Group, to provide tips in staying safe online. 1. Backup.  Back up everything in at least some form separately from your business devices, and test the backups. Nowadays, if you’re using good cloud storage services, they can provide a high level of availability, screening for any known malware, and online storage that business owners can access from anywhere they need for a low cost rather than having to invest in expensive backup hardware. Given the cost of good cloud storage these days, business owners can either identify the most important things to backup or in most cases just ensure absolutely everything data-related is replicated online. 2. Be aware of malware.  Malware is any malicious software. There are various different kinds, including viruses, and just like human viruses, no protection will be perfect. Protecting your business from malware is about hygiene – business owners should make sure that their antivirus or antimalware software is installed and turned on (there are good, free options as well as commercial ones, but do your research), make sure staff are not downloading and installing anything dodgy, do regular patching or turn on automatic updates, set up firewalls on machines, and try to avoid using USB sticks or memory cards – with cloud storage these should be largely unnecessary anyway. 3. The hygiene extends to phones and tablets as well. Turning on password protection, using some of the tools business owners are most likely already paying for to make sure devices that go missing can be found, or wiped, keeping everything up to date, and if they use public wifi assume everything they’re doing is visible to someone so don’t do anything sensitive. 4. A few words about passwords. If business owners have the option, secure passphrases (a collection of random words strung together or written in a sentence) are much more secure and easier to remember than a scrabble of letters and symbols. Business owners should also, for anything sensitive, use two-factor authentication – Google and Microsoft provide their own free Authenticator apps, and another good one is Authy – with an app installed on their phone or tablet. 5. Don’t get hooked.  The vast majority of attacks happen because of malicious emails, commonly known as phishing emails. There are lots of lists of tips about how to avoid them, many of which are highly technical, but as a very basic piece of advice I usually say that if any message (email or voice) is asking a business owner to do anything out of the ordinary, or causing any sort of emotional response (excitement, fear, etc) then take a few seconds to verify it. To do this do not use any of the contact details provided in the e-mail, instead use a phone number they know to be right, a live chat page on a website, or any other method they know to be safe to confirm that the e-mail is genuine. Sandra Rowley at Takepayments Ltd said: “Cyber security should ultimately be taken as seriously to a business owner as taking out business and liability insurance. More than one in five small business owners created a website for their business during the pandemic according to our recent report, and cyber security should come as a top priority for any business looking to move online. Unfortunately, as further sanctions are implemented towards Russia, the threat of cyber security attack’s could  increase so now is more important than ever for businesses to implement as many cyber security measures as they can to ensure their business is protected as much as possible.”

Firms hit by 63% surge in customs duties reveals new report

Steve Fisher
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Firms hit by 63% surge in customs duties reveals new report
Firms have been hit by a 63% surge in customs duties – a record high of £4.7bn in the year to the end of January, according to a new report. The figures – up from £2.9bn in the previous 12 months – show that the last six months to 28 February 2022 are the six highest months on record for customs duties paid, with £2.6bn paid in that period alone. Over the past five years, the total amount of customs duties paid has averaged just £3.3bn per year. UHY Hacker Young, who compiled the report, says the rise comes as post-Brexit increases in customs duties begin to bite for UK businesses and consumers. Post-Brexit ‘Rule of Origin’ requirements have dragged far more imports into the customs duty net. These rules mean anything sold in the UK by EU businesses must wholly or largely originate in the EU to be exempt from customs duties when it enters the UK. The company adds that the tightening of the ‘Rules of Origin’ requirements looks to be already having an impact on UK businesses and consumers. From January 1, the Government introduced a requirement that importers must show a declaration about the origin of the goods at the point of entry. If a business cannot prove the origin, they face paying the full rate of customs duty and additional penalties. Sean Glancy, Partner at UHY Hacker Young, said: “These figures show that post-Brexit increases in customs costs are hitting businesses and consumers hard. With UK consumers already being hit by a cost-of-living crisis driven by increased energy costs and rising taxes, the jump in customs tariffs is the last thing they need.” “Businesses are struggling under the weight of tariff costs and additional paperwork. These additional costs are biting just as they try to recover from pandemic-related costs and interruptions.” “Since Brexit, customs duties have substantially increased costs for many businesses, in some cases making a dramatic impact on the bottom line. Businesses which are heavily dependent on trade with the EU may well be looking to reassess their models.” “UK consumers are likely to face price increases at a time when the cost of living is already rising. They may also find familiar products no longer in stock should UK businesses cut imports of EU products.”

New £1.75m research and innovation centre that will revolutionise precision medicine and nutrition opens at University of Derby

Tess Egginton
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New £1.75m research and innovation centre that will revolutionise precision medicine and nutrition opens at University of Derby
A new £1.75 million research and innovation centre designed to revolutionise diet and medication by combining biomedical and data science expertise has opened at the University of Derby. The Facility for Omics Research in Metabolism (FORM), based at the University’s Kedleston Road site, will focus on personalised foods, vitamins, supplements and medicine, while supporting the education of 800 highly skilled learners and providing more than 20 jobs. FORM, which is backed by £850,000 from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership via its Local Growth Fund allocation, and matched by the University, was officially opened this week (22 March) to guests from industry, academia and local government. Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University opened the event with a presentation on the University’s research strategy. Professor Chris Bussell, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the College of Science and Engineering and Professor Gyan Tripathi, Director of FORM at the University, then provided guests insights to the research potential of the Facility, a tour of the world-class laboratory, and introduced them to academics and researchers who will be working in FORM. The Facility is equipped with Metabolomics and Genomics capabilities and is supported by the University’s Human Sciences Research Centre (HSRC). The aim is to improve the health outcomes of people through a stratified medicine approach for a better understanding of the disease pathologies and agents that can improve metabolic conditions and treat diseases. The University of Derby is already working on metabolomic research for conditions such as COVID-19, diabetes and obesity. The FORM provides the University with the capability of universal detection of genes (genomics), mRNA (transcriptomics), proteins (proteomics) and metabolites (metabolomics) in biological samples which will help advance understanding of diseases and help identify new and innovative solutions to improve health and prevent and treat diseases. The technologies within the Facility will also be applied to develop forensic investigation work, boost the performance of elite athletes and support new forms of sustainable agriculture, such as vertical farming. Professor Chris Bussell said: “This new facility will further the capabilities of D2N2 and will establish cutting edge technologies, innovation and world-class research in the Life Sciences sector within Derby and Derbyshire, further advancing the reputation of the region as a hub for innovation in the understanding and treatment of human diseases. “FORM will not only provide better scientific understanding and knowledge for meditech and personalised treatments, but it will also create more opportunities for the University to work with companies as part of their own R&D and innovation.” Professor Warren Manning, Provost for Innovation and Research at the University of Derby, added: “We are delighted to be making another significant development in the University’s research capability with the opening of this centre, which will provide vital data and information for industry and consumers alike, with the long-term aim of improving people’s health outcomes. “Working in partnership with D2N2, the facility will also deliver new jobs and skills and support the recovery and future prosperity of our city and region.” Commenting on the new facility, D2N2 chair Elizabeth Fagan, said: “The D2N2 LEP is delighted to have supported the University of Derby’s Facility for OMICSs Research in Metabolism (FORM) with £850,000 from our Local Growth Fund. “Our region has an excellent reputation for biomedical science and the opening of the new facility will continue to advance our reputation in outstanding research. “This project is just one of many investments D2N2 LEP has made in partnership with the University of Derby, to boost our economy, improve the lives of local people and shape the future of our region.” David Campbell, director of Surescreen Diagnostics Ltd, added: “The establishment of the FORM centre is a great achievement for the University of Derby and will be a very valuable asset for businesses, education and the economy across the Midlands. Better research and understanding of the body’s metabolism is crucial to improving patient care and developing the right solutions to improve what is currently available going forward.”

Hot Topic – Greater Lincolnshire LEP responds to Chancellors spring statement

Steve Fisher
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Hot Topic – Greater Lincolnshire LEP responds to Chancellors spring statement
Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, talks to Business Link on the Spring Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak: “The Chancellor quite rightly focussed on the war in Ukraine, and the impact that may continue to have on global economies.  He took some welcome steps to sustain confidence in the economy, but he did not go far enough to impact the current challenges facing businesses, especially SMEs in places such as Lincolnshire. “Our businesses tell us that they are facing several compounded financial pressures with growing inflation, energy costs, supply chain challenges and an increasing cost of living. “There was also little direct reference to investment in a low-carbon economy, and how we get nuclear, hydrogen and onshore wind investment working for us. “However, his proposed tax plan to incentivise business investment from next year is good news, and we look forward to seeing the detail on transforming productivity with measures such as capital allowances, R&D reforms and a revised apprenticeship levy on the agenda.”    

Chesterfield businesses asked to help find potential new development sites

Tess Egginton
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Chesterfield businesses asked to help find potential new development sites
Residents, businesses, landowners, and developers are being asked to suggest sites for development or land use changes in Chesterfield. Chesterfield Borough Council is issuing its Call for Sites as part of the Local Plan review process. The aim is to identify sites that have the potential to be developed for housing or employment but also to help find sites that could be used to enhance local biodiversity or other uses. The Call for Sites is being run through an innovative online consultation platform that will be open for the public for six weeks to submit their suggestions from Monday 21 March until midnight on Monday 2 May 2022. Councillor Dean Collins, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The Local Plan is important because it is the starting point for assessing the merits of individual planning applications. The Call for Sites helps ensure that we identify sites for development that meet local need and this must be done as part of the five-year review of our Local Plan. “We are trialling a new digital platform that we hope will make it easier for everyone to help identify sites with potential across the borough. The online tool uses a map of Chesterfield and when you highlight a site it shows the current Local Plan map and you can then make a simple suggestion for how that land should be used in future. “I would encourage everyone to give us their views and make sure they do it within the six weeks as we cannot accept any late submissions.” As well as suggesting sites for housing or business developments, there is also the opportunity to highlight sites for other uses. This can include areas the council can invest in to enhance biodiversity through tree planting and habitat management but also sites that would be suitable for Gypsy and Traveller Sites, community facilities and public open spaces. The Local Plan must be reviewed at least once every five years and the Call for Sites is a key element of this review. There are two methods available for submitting a site for consideration, the first is a site suggestion form where the availability or ownership of a site is not known, and the second option is via a detailed site submission form aimed at landowners or their agents. Sites that are suggested will be assessed later in the year as part of a Land Availability Assessment which in turn will be used to help review the current Local Plan. Where a site has been suggested by a member of the public, but the availability of a site is not known the council may contact the landowner to find out if it is available or not. Sites which ultimately are not available will not be able to progress as part of the Local Plan review. A site being put forward to the council and then later considered in the Land Availability Assessment does not mean it will necessarily be considered suitable for development or a particular land use, nor included in a local plan or granted planning permission. The council are working with the consultants Urban Intelligence who have developed the platform and are experts in using technology and data science to assess property and support the planning process. Funding for the platform was provided by the Government through the PropTech Engagement Fund with the aim of increasing local engagement with the planning process and giving people a greater say over their local area. Find out more about the Call for Sites and submit suggestions by visiting www.chesterfield.gov.uk/call-for-sites-2022
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