Issue - meetings

The Committee considered a report that provided an update regarding  the Pleasley Vale regeneration project, activities which had been carried out around the site, and informed the Committee on future work and projects for Pleasley Vale Business Park.

A Project Officer had been employed in November 2022 to manage the regeneration project; with an allocated budget to commission reports and surveys to overcome site constraints and inform the principle of development.  The objectives of the Project were initially to assess the viability and appropriateness of a range of regeneration options.

The main issue with the site was flooding; a significant area of the site was within a flood zone 3b (a functional flood plain).  As a result, funding opportunities and interest for the Mill buildings were limited, but the importance of the natural environment on sites such as Pleasley Vale was present and there was interest to fund projects which sought to improve biodiversity, water management, and connect the visiting public with nature and history.

However, there remained the flooding concerns.  Beaumont Rivers was an environmental restoration company which specialised in nature recovery and water management techniques; the Council had appointed them to oversee a flood mitigation and water management project to mitigate flooding in the future and enable the securement of future funding for the site (planning permission could not be granted until the issue of flooding was resolved).

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust had also been appointed to produce a Nature Recovery / Blue and Green Infrastructure Masterplan for Pleasley Vale.  This was to survey and assess the current condition of the site, identify constraints and opportunities for funding, and collaborate with communities and education providers.

The Business Growth Manager also updated the Committee on the Property Services Team who were currently identifying all priority repairs for the Mill buildings and the total cost of repairs.  A report would be taken to Executive once the detail and costs were known.  Options for improvements would include roof repairs/replacements, new/repaired windows, secondary glazing, and stone (including lintel and sill) repairs.

There could be no piecemeal approach to the site; a full comprehensive plan was required with a Health and Safety and operational perspective provided.

The Business Growth Manager responded to a question regarding insurance costs, stating that the Council had an insurance excess to pay, but the flood waters were still too high to carry out a full inspection of the damage; once the waters had receded a survey could be completed.  For the tenants who had lost possessions, their own insurance policies would cover their losses; the Council was a Landlord and only covered the premises.

Moved by Councillor Jane Yates and seconded by Councillor Jeanne Raspin

RESOLVED that the report be noted.