New £6m business park for Chapel could create 250 jobs

The major development is being earmarked for Town End in Chapel-en-le-Frith, where the newly-adopted Chapel-en-le-Frith Neighbourhood Plan has set aside land for employment use.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council is working with High Peak Borough Council to bring forward the development to safeguard jobs and encourage new businesses to grow and to invest in the town.

Specialist consultants Business Design Partnership Ltd (BDP) have helped draw up the masterplan, and the public can view the proposals and have their say at a public consultation event next week.

Chapel-en-le-Frith parish councillor Mike Evanson said the development had the potential to bring around 250 jobs to the area.

Cllr Evanson, who is chairman of the parish council’s regeneration committee, said: “This is really exciting and I hope the plan gets off the ground.

“Sixty-five per cent of our workforce leave the area and take their skills and knowledge outside of Chapel because there is not enough business space.

“This development will be good for the town and offer established businesses a chance to expand into new premises and allow small entrepreneurs who may be based at home to have a proper work space, as well as putting more spending power back into Chapel.”

The project would be funded through grants and private developers, but the councillor thinks it would cost around £6m and accommodate dozens of new businesses.

He added: “Our economy will grow because of the knowledge-based sector and we want to nurture this and help those people who deal with information, such as accountants, architects and surveyors.”

Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “While this initiative is still in its very early stages, the Chamber is pleased to be supporting it, because it will hopefully lead to more businesses remaining in Chapel and its surrounding areas following their first few years of development.

“The High Peak is a great place to invest and do business and if and when this scheme comes to fruition, it will improve the overall offering and act as a magnet to businesses looking to start-up or relocate.”

Councillor Tony Kemp, deputy leader and executive councillor for regeneration at the borough council, said: “These proposals will help ensure that we have suitable space for new enterprise to start-up and for established companies to relocate or grow their existing business.”

The public consultation will be held at Chapel Town Hall from 4pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday March 23.