Demolition bid for landmark site home to former hotel
A DERELICT landmark, which will be transformed into a new gateway into a Derbyshire town, has been secured by the local council.
It has taken a part-freehold, partleasehold interest in the former Chesterfield Hotel site and will now work with contractors to clear out and demolish the building, which has stood empty since it shut in 2015.
Chesterfield Borough Council called this “a major step forward for ambitious regeneration plans to create a new gateway for the town”, as part of its HS2 plans for the town.
Many residents voiced concern at the prospect of the landmark being demolished earlier this year, saying should be refurbished and bought back to life.
The site is highlighted as a key development opportunity in the emerging HS2 Station Master Plan which “aims to harness the opportunities presented by HS2 and revitalise the area around Chesterfield Train Station”.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield Hotel was a significant building and a venue which has served the town well over the years.
“Sadly, the costs to remodel and refurbish the building to bring it back into productive use are too high, and it is deemed an un-viable option as compared with redevelopment of the site.
“The building has fallen into disrepair and is unfortunately now regarded as a safety risk and an eyesore on this key route from the train station. We must act to bring this area back to life, as part of our wider plans to revitalise this important gateway to our town.”
Making sure the site is safe and secure is the council’s immediate priority – including work to remove the remaining boundary wall at the side of the hotel on Malkin Street amidst safety concerns about the structure.
Work will start immediately to clear and strip out the inside before full demolition, which is expected to start in spring. It is proposed that a temporary surface car park will be created in its place while plans for the future use of the site are developed.
Cllr Gilby said: “This is a major step forward for our long-term plan to harness the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented to us by HS2.
“Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, Chesterfield continues to move forward. Town centre regeneration is a key element of the council’s Economic Recovery Plan, which will put Chesterfield in the strongest position to bounce back from the far-reaching impacts of Covid-19.”
Chesterfield Borough Council is leading a partnership which includes Derbyshire County Council, Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and East Midlands Railway to bring forward development at key sites in and around Chesterfield railway station. Funding was granted by D2N2 to invest in to the HS2 infrastructure and to redevelop the areas around the train station.
The development will see an “urban village” built as well as new housing, shops and a new walkway into the town - all a part of the council’s Master Plan.
The council is currently finalising the HS2 Station Master Plan which will be subject to public consultation in the first part of next year.