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Work begins on sprawling development at old ironworks set to create 4,000 jobs

Stanton

Work begins on sprawling development at old ironworks set to create 4,000 jobs

Construction & Build

New Stanton Park, which is being developed by Verdant Regeneration Ltd at the former Stanton Ironworks near Ilkeston, has outline planning permission for the construction of 2.6m sq. ft of industrial units

Construction has started on a vast development which is expected to bring thousands of jobs to a town on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border. New Stanton Park, which is being developed by Verdant Regeneration Ltd on the former Stanton Ironworks near Ilkeston, has outline planning permission for the construction of 2.6m sq. ft of industrial units and has the potential to deliver up to 4,000 new jobs once finished.

Building company Glencar has now started the first project within the200 acresite, which is a new 20,400 sq. ft regional hub for courier and logistics firm DX (Group) plc. The DX regional hub project will also include construction of offices and external works will be built to an exceptionally high standard with a raised dock and onsite car parking.

Construction will take 24 weeks and the new hub is scheduled to open by early April 2024. It is expected 138 jobs will be created by the DX building.

David Grier of Verdant Regeneration said: “Having acquired the site in 2020, we have worked hard across the team to quickly bring forward an outline planning application for a development of 2.6m sq. ft on what is one of the largest regeneration projects within the region. We are delighted to have now successfully secured outline planning consent and thank Erewash Borough Council for the professional manner and efficiency in which they have dealt with the planning application.

"New Stanton Park offers an excellent strategic location, blending an active rail connection with strong private and public transport connectivity, plentiful labour, large power supply and high volume water connection. When combined, we are confident this will result in a highly successful development with the next chapter set to positively transform and improve the area, bringing forward large scale job creation in the process."

The Stanton Ironworks site, which had been in use for more than 160 years, had been empty for more than a decade before its redevelopment was approved. At its height, 7,000 people were employed at the Stanton works, but workers produced the last iron pipes on May 24, 2007.

The former Stanton Ironworks site once employed 7,000 people, and produced huge pieces of infrastructure and ammunition, including the Mersey Tunnel(Image: Verdant Regeneration Ltd)

Now the area is starting to see the first signs of activity returning as DX becomes the first business to set up at New Stanton Park. Paul Ibbetson, Chief Executive Officer DX (Group) plc, said: "DX is delighted to be announced as the first business taking space on New Stanton Park Industrial Estate, a redevelopment scheme near Nottingham. The purchase of this 25,000 sq. ft site will enable us to create a major new regional hub and depot to service our Group's parcel freight activities.

"The new hub and depot will provide significant additional regional capacity, improve efficiency by reducing stem mileage and is in line with our plans to make strategic property investments. We also look forward to creating further job opportunities in the area. Construction, which will benefit from a raised dock and mechanisation, is expected to be completed during Q2 2024.”

Written by Joshua Hartley Senior reporter at Nottinghamshire Live