News
Planning application is submitted
A planning application which, if approved, will transform an important 'gateway' in to Ripley, and create around 300 new jobs, was submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council (today).
'Ripley Gateway' has been designed by property developers Clowes Westerman, working closely with Amber Valley Borough Council. The regeneration scheme is looking to...
- Provide a massive leisure boost with the creation of a new park for Ripley.
- Build a second section of the A610 link road. This would benefit Ripley and the local economy, reduce traffic on Nottingham Road and improve access to the industrial estates and to Codnor.
- Feature a new Morrisons Foodstore which would create 300 new jobs for Ripley.
- Offer an opportunity for new family housing - a mix of affordable and private housing, on land previously designated for industrial development.
The new Greenwich Park will have 22% more playing field space which may accommodate...
- 1 Junior football pitch
- 1 U11/12 pitch
- 1 U15/16 pitch
- 1 Senior pitch
- New sports pavilion
- New Multi Use Games Area
- New play area
- New skate park
- Trim trail
In addition to the extended, and enhanced, sports facilities, the Ripley Gateway will also deliver a vital push to the local economy, with the building of the Morrisons Foodstore. Three hundred new jobs will be created as the facility strengthens the role and function of the Town. With the Foodstore only selling a limited range of non-food goods its impact will be on other large foodstores rather than town centre shops.
Commented Andrew Bock, of Clowes Westerman: "We believe this is a great opportunity for Ripley residents, on a number of levels. The sports and leisure plans represent a huge improvement on the existing facilities, and the whole project will enhance the appearance of an important 'Gateway' to the town, while providing much needed new homes and jobs."
Clowes Westerman are offering two opportunities to view the plans and discuss the project with members of their team, Morrisons, and Amber Valley Borough Council planning officers at Moss Cottage, Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3JT on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th December between 2.00pm and 8.00pm.
Ground Investigations - February 2012
Morrisons will be carrying out ground investigations on the Nottingham Road site over the next 2-3 months.
They will be conducting a range of tests to determine the composition of the land where the proposed Foodstore would be built. This will include drilling bore holes.
Further developments in the planning process will be reported on this website.
Pictured at the site of the newly proposed recreation ground are, from left, Andrew Bock of Clowes Westerman, Councillor Jack Brown MBE, Chris Beal, landscape officer at AVBC and Simon Gladwin Assistant Director of Environmental Services.
Morrisons to build Foodstore
25 January 2012
Morrisons' proposal to build a new Foodstore on around seven acres of Amber Valley Borough Council land at Nottingham Road, Ripley, was approved at a meeting on 18 January.
Morrisons has signed an agreement with the Council to purchase the land, which still needs planning permission. The planning application for the design of the Foodstore will be submitted by Clowes Westerman, who are working with Amber Valley Borough Council to develop a new Gateway to the town, which also includes better recreational facilities and housing.
At the Council meeting on Wednesday 18 January 2012, councillors approved the moves, which will result in plans for the Foodstore as well as an application for the permanent extension to a Green Flag standard of 'Greenwich Park', which will be over 10 acres, retaining the former 'CISWO' land. Clowes Westerman will also be making an outline planning application for 130 new houses on its retained land, including affordable housing. The agreement between the Council and Clowes Westerman has also been signed.
The Foodstore would offer about 40,000 square feet of mainly food sales, as well as associated car parking and a petrol filling station. Morrisons would typically employ 350 people (150 part time) at a store of this type.
As part of the scheme, Clowes Westerman will submit an application for a new roundabout and access road close to existing roundabout at the north end of Coach Road. The Council has reserved the right to move the access to the route of the proposed A610 Codnor-Ripley link road.
Councillor Stuart Bradford, Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council said: " We appreciate the strength of feeling of some about the plans for the Foodstore but we emphasise that the plans are still subject to the planning process, which will rigorously test the issues raised by concerned local residents such as the impact on the town centre. However, the funding received, as part of the agreement with the developers will allow the Council to realise other ambitions as part of its overall strategic priorities for the future. We have to take a long term view, and I firmly believe that the creation of jobs and the improved road links to Ripley will boost the town."
The move also means the acceleration of the plans to develop the extension to a Nottingham Road Recreation Ground for the creation of a new Green Flag standard park for Ripley. Work has already started to lay out this recreation ground, and a temporary planning application will be submitted for this use, pending on the outcome of the planning application as part of the Gateway Scheme to make a better Park. The Council is also in talks with local sports clubs to discuss their future accommodation needs, and is talking to pupils at St John's Primary School and Mill Hill School in Ripley about the facilities for the play areas and hope to have more detailed plans for this by Spring.
Download an illustrative plan showing the various sites, and the roundabout and access road
Your views still needed
14 November 2011
We still want your views about what you want to see on 'Greenwich Park'.
Suggested facilities for the park include a circular walking/trim trail, a sports pavilion, a multi-user games area for sports such as netball, basketball and five-a-side football and a children's play area. We'd like your views on all these facilities as well as the skate park. Use the comments section of the survey to give your views about all the proposed facilities.
The survey can be accessed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RipleyGatewayConsultation
If you would like to print the survey you can return it to 'Greenwich Park Survey', Policy and Improvement, Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Market Place Ripley DE5 3BT.
The Council's aim is to make the Park meet 'Green Flag' standards, for all the community putting it amongst the best green spaces in the country so. With this in mind please tell us your views about the recreational facilities proposed for the Park as shown in the plans below.
We can only accommodate so many facilities, for example, we cannot provide a football pitch as well as a rugby pitch. We have, however, tried to include the facilities respondents to the first consultation wanted to see on the park. Plan A features a rugby pitch whereas Plans B and C feature a football pitch. All three plans feature a cricket pitch. We are consulting directly with the sports clubs about which sports will be featured on the site.
Download a PDF of the propsed plans.
Latest Council Report
31 October 2011
Click here to see the latest Amber Valley Borough Council report being presented to a meeting of the Full Council on 2 November.
Council report on consultation
23 September 2011
A meeting of Amber Valley Borough Council on 28 September 2011 will consider a report on the consultation recently carried out.
The report can be viewed by following this link and clicking on Item 4 -Ripley Gateway Development
Still time to comment on Ripley Gateway Scheme
29 July 2011
A second successful consultation event for the Ripley Gateway Scheme was held last week, at the Nottingham Road site where the changes are proposed.
Members of the Clowes Westerman team, along with Officers from Amber Valley Borough Council, were on hand to show interested members of the public plans of the proposed scheme, answer questions and collect feedback.
Property developers, Clowes Westerman, are proposing the Scheme to regenerate land on Nottingham Road. The plan includes:-
- A new access road with a re-located roundabout providing the first phase of a new A610 link road between Ripley and Langley Mill
- Enhancing existing park and playing facilities on adjacent land, on Nottingham Road
- A residential development in place of the land currently earmarked for industrial use
- An 'eco' Foodstore that is compatible with its surroundings
A key part of Clowes Westerman's plan involves consulting with local people to find out what they think of the plans, and to get their ideas and input.
Anyone who missed the two Consultation Events that have been held, can still see plans of the proposed Scheme, at Ripley Leisure Centre, at 15 High Street, Ripley and at the Council's Cash Office in Ripley Market Place. Questionnaires can be completed and posted at the Cash Office and Ripley Leisure Centre. So far well over 100 responses have been received, which will be reported to Amber Valley Borough Council.
This website contains details of the Scheme and an online questionnaire. This also enables anyone interested to register for email updates. Unfortunately, due to a 'technical hitch', there have been problems confirming that all of the online responses have been received. Clowes Westerman are therefore asking anyone who has completed an online questionnaire to do it again, or send it to them in writing, as they want to make sure everyone's views are captured.
This stage of the consultation ends on 18 August 2011. At this point the proposals will be reviewed in the light of the representations received. A report will then be submitted to the Borough Council on any proposed changes.
Big Response to ‘Ripley Gateway’Event
21 July 2011
An encouraging number of local people attended the first Ripley Gateway consultation event, held at Ripley Leisure Centre on 19 July, and took the opportunity to study plans, ask questions, and leave their feedback and ideas.
Property developers, Clowes Westerman, are proposing the Scheme to regenerate land on Nottingham Road. The plan includes:-
- A new access road with a re-located roundabout providing the first phase of a new A610 link road between Ripley and Langley Mill
- Enhancing existing park and playing facilities on adjacent land, on Nottingham Road
- A residential development in place of the land currently earmarked for industrial use
- An ‘eco’ Foodstore that is compatible with its surroundings
A key part of Clowes Westerman’s plan involves consulting with local people to find out what they think of the plans, and to get their ideas and input.
Commenting after the event, Scott Harper of Clowes Westerman, said: “There is considerable interest in the Scheme and we were kept very busy talking to people about the detail of our plans and listening to their views. We will be taking on board all comments and reporting back, at the end of the first phase of the consultation process, on the feedback we have received and how it will help shape any changes to the Scheme.”
“One concern we did have was that many people attending the event appeared to be under the impression that it incorporates a Ripley Relief Road. The proposed Scheme provides for a re-located roundabout and approximately 150 metres of a single carriageway road. This is to be designed in such a way as to ensure that it does not prejudice the route of the rest of the Relief Road, which has still to be determined.”
A second Consultation event will be held on Tuesday 26 July, from 3.00pm - 7.00pm. Representatives of Clowes Westerman and the Borough Council will again be available to answer questions and receive comments.
Scheme Launched
4 July 2011
Property developers, Clowes Westerman, are proposing a Scheme to regenerate land on Nottingham Road as a 'Gateway' to Ripley, which includes:-
- A new access road with a re-located roundabout providing the first phase of a new A610 link road between Ripley and Langley Mill
- Enhancing existing park and playing facilities on adjacent land
- A residential development in place of the land currently earmarked for industrial use
- An 'eco' Foodstore that is compatible with its surroundings
If the proposed Scheme goes ahead, it is estimated that around 300 new jobs will be created at the new 'eco' Foodstore. The store operator has yet to be confirmed. The Scheme's go-ahead would also mean more new homes, which would be built in place of the presently permitted industrial park.
As part of the proposed Scheme, there is a commitment to develop other sports facilities in the town, with a major improvement plan being drawn up for the Pit Top area on Peasehill Road, which will include a permanent home for Ripley Town Football Club, together with training pitches for the use of other teams, as well as a clubhouse and covered area for spectators.
At the request of Amber Valley Borough Council, Ripley residents are to be asked for their views on the proposed 'Ripley Gateway' Scheme. Details of the Scheme, along with an opportunity to respond, will be found on-line at www.ripleygateway.co.uk, from 7 July. There will also be a chance to view the plans and comment on them at a special exhibition to be held at Ripley Leisure Centre on Tuesday, 19 July, between 3.00pm - 7.00pm. In addition there will be a public consultation event at the playing fields car park on Nottingham Road, Ripley, on Tuesday 26 July. from 3.00pm - 7.00pm. Representatives of Clowes Westerman and the Borough Council will be available to answer questions and receive comments.
Andrew Bock, of Clowes Westerman said: "We believe this is a wonderful opportunity to provide Ripley residents with great facilities, enhance the appearance of an important 'Gateway' to the town, and to provide much needed new homes and jobs. We are now asking local people to give us their views on these plans, on-line, by letter, or by attending one of the consultation sessions we have arranged. Feedback from the consultation will help determine how the Scheme moves forward."
Stuart Bradford, Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council said: "We have looked at other options, but we picked Clowes Westerman's proposals as the most feasible and timely option for designing and delivering a prestigious, high quality 'Gateway' scheme for the comprehensive development of this land. This scheme, if approved, will remove the permitted business and industrial use of part of the land, with access from Nottingham Road, which faced significant local opposition.
We will need to examine a number of complex issues before we make a final decision on these proposals, such as the impact on the local economy and environment. We also want to hear the views of local residents, and I would therefore encourage Ripley residents to make a positive contribution to the public consultation events. These views will be reflected in our consideration of the proposals."
Notes to Editors:
- The Council owns the Nottingham Road Playing Fields (11 acres). This is identified in the Amber Valley Borough Council 2006 Local Plan as playing fields, park and informal open space (policy LC3).
- The adjoining land (11.88 acres) is owned by Clowes Developments (UK) Limited and W Westerman Limited. Most of this land is allocated under Policy ER3 of the Local Plan for business and industrial development within use classes B1 (office, research & development and light industry), B2 (general industry) and B8 (warehousing and distribution). It was also allocated for such uses in previous development plans, since 1994. Planning Permission for such development was granted on 19 September 2008 under AVA/2008/0440.
- The Borough Council has entered into an 'Exclusivity Agreement' with Clowes Westerman to allow the Developer to find a store operator and to carry out an extensive public engagement programme in respect of the proposed Scheme.
- However, the Borough Council will not make a decision on whether to dispose of its land ownership at Nottingham Road Playing Fields as part of the proposed Scheme, until it has considered the representations received through the public consultation. The Council is required to advertise any proposal to dispose of land that forms part of an 'open space' for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper circulating in the area. It must consider any representations received in response to that advertisement before making a decision to dispose of the 'open space'.
- The Borough Council holds part of the Playing Fields under a charitable trust, and it has established a Recreation and Amenities Committee in accordance with the Trust instrument, for the purpose of making decisions about this part of the land.
- As part of the consultations on the proposed Scheme, the Developer and the Borough Council will be talking to interested parties such as Ripley Town Football Club, Butterley United Cricket Club, and CISWO.
- The proposed Scheme remains subject to the grant of planning permission, which will include further public consultation if an application is submitted.
- The Developer has undertaken not to implement the business and industrial planning permission for its land under AVA/2008/0440, pending consideration of the proposed Scheme.
- The proposals for the Pit Top area are subject to leasing from Derbyshire County Council, and to the grant of planning permission.
What makes an eco Foodstore?
5 July 2011
An eco Foodstore typically achieves carbon savings of more then 50% better than a traditional, non-eco Foodstore.
It achieves this through a number of environmentally-friendly features.
Click here for a factsheet detailing the features of a typical eco Foodstore