A new petition has been launched to voice residents' opposition to the Capital&Centric development of Buxton.

High Peak Borough Councillor Madeline Hall started the petition on Thursday August 6.

She said: “I was against launching a petition whilst the statutory consultation was open but now’s the time, as some people are suggesting that 650 responses aren’t many and that objections come from an unrepresentative sample of motivated objectors so may be disregarded.

“We know that some people were put-off by the complexities of the formal process. This is an opportunity to raise a voice more simply.”

A petition has been started to oppose Capital&Centric's £100m redevelopment of Buxton.

placeholder image — A petition has been started to oppose Capital&Centric's £100m redevelopment of Buxton.

Revitalising Buxton is a £100 million scheme that follows a successful bid by High Peak Borough Council to secure £6.6 million of Future High Streets funding from the Government. High Peak Borough Council used this funding to acquire The Springs shopping centre in December 2022 with a view to redeveloping the outdated site. It added £4.2 million of its own money to the scheme.

In May 2026 a planning application was submitted to High Peak Borough Council for a mixed-use development of 332 homes (for 880 people) and nearly 4,250 square metres of commercial space that would connect the rail station with Spring Gardens, uncover the River Wye, and create new landscaped public spaces. However, the plans have attracted hundreds of objections on the High Peak Borough Council’s planning website. Of the 649 submissions 560 are objections.

This includes not just residents but Buxton Civic Association, McCarthy and Stone retirement community, Waitrose and Clarkes and Bells shoe shops.

In the petition, which will be sent to both the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and High Peak Borough Council, Madeline Ward - who is an independent councillor - said: “I object to the planning application for development of the Springs in Buxton and ask that it be refused in its current form.”

The new observation tower can be seen in these artist impressions of The Springs but a petition has been created to oppose the development.

The concerns raised in the petition include the proposed buildings’ scale, height, and design, including the materials used as well as the large number of rental apartments that are being proposed.

The loss of parking for the town centre and the increase in the need for tenants’ parking and the lack of assessment of economic impact on existing businesses were also raised.

People are being asked to sign, highlighting what campaigners see as the short-comings in the consultation process along with questions over the independence of decision-making where most of the application site is owned by High Peak Borough Council, which is also the Local Planning Authority.

High Peak Borough Council and Capital&Centric have been approached for comment on both the application objections and the new petition.

Block 8 in the Capital&Centric redevelopment for Buxton town centre but a petition has started to oppose the development.

A spokesperson from Capital&Centric said: “Buxton is one of the country’s most beautiful spa towns, with an extraordinary collection of historic buildings and landscapes.

“Having restored and repurposed dozens of listed buildings and conservation assets across the UK, we understand just how passionate people feel about protecting the places they love. We share that passion.

“Throughout the project we’ve held a number of public consultations, beginning long before any proposals were drawn up. We were genuinely overwhelmed by the level of interest, the turnout and the quality of the feedback. Many of the ideas and concerns raised by local people have directly influenced the masterplan and helped shape the proposals you see today.

“It’s important to be clear that our plans do not involve the demolition of any listed or conservation buildings, quite the contrary, we’re enhancing and restoring them for public use. New development is focused on existing surface car parks and later, on buildings that make little contribution to Buxton’s architectural heritage. Our aim is to protect what makes Buxton special while creating new homes, public spaces and investment that will help secure its future.

“We’ve also been encouraged by the hundreds of positive comments and messages we’ve received from people who believe Buxton deserves investment and the opportunity to thrive once again. We firmly believe the town can celebrate its remarkable heritage while embracing thoughtful, sensitive change that brings new life, new opportunities and renewed confidence.

“We recognise that no proposal of this scale will ever enjoy unanimous support, and we welcome both positive and critical feedback. Constructive challenge makes better places. As we’ve demonstrated throughout the process, we’re prepared to listen, refine and improve the plans wherever we can.

“Ultimately, our ambition is simple: to leave Buxton in a stronger position than we found it, preserving its unique character while helping it realise its enormous potential for future generations.”

For more on the petition, visit www.change.org/p/oppose-overdevelopment-of-the-springs-in-buxton