Buxton plans for The Springs: New homes, the River Wye uncovered and your questions answered

A £100m-plus transformation could bring the River Wye back into daylight after decades hidden beneath the centre of Buxton, putting water back at the heart of the town.

It would also bring 326 homes for rent to the town centre, managed and let by Capital&Centric. They would be homes for hard-working local people and families. Residents would share gyms, a mini-cini and co-working space, with new bars, restaurants and public spaces on their doorstep. The public realm would be for everyone in Buxton, including public toilets.

Capital&Centric is a Social Impact Developer, and is working with High Peak Borough Council, which owns the land. If you live in Buxton, you'll know residents have shared both support and concerns. Plans will go to an independent planning committee. The scheme must still meet strict planning criteria, and every objection is considered.

We put your questions to the developer.

"We read every objection.”

More than 550 responses or objections have been submitted. The developer says it has read every one.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric, said: "I love that people in Buxton care this much. It tells you everything about the place, and I care just as much. I want to keep Buxton thriving.

"We listened, and our plans changed because of it. Consultation that changes nothing isn't consultation.

"We've also spoken to hundreds of people who love what we're proposing. But when you like something, you tend to be quieter about it. Objections are loud, support is polite. So if you're on the fence, ask yourself who you're not hearing from yet."

What has changed since people gave feedback?

“Several things. We’ve reduced the number of homes to 326 from 332. We've also reduced the amount of commercial space, so the quantity of shops, cafes and offices complements what the town already has rather than competing with it. We’ve changed elements of architecture, and made parking options more suitable. “

Why does this part of Buxton need to change?

“Built in the early 1980s, the Springs sits uneasily next to the town's historic streets. Capital&Centric says many people are fond of the area but believes it could do far more for the town. The plans bring new shops, cafes, bars and offices, homes for rent, green spaces and an open River Wye. The developer says this will attract more visitors and encourage more people to live local.”

Will it look like Buxton?

Inspired by it, yes. A copy, no. "Buxton's best buildings are beautiful because they were bold and made with the skill of their day," said Tim. "We can't recreate that. The craftsmen, materials and methods of the 1800s are gone. Copying them gives you a thin imitation of the real thing."

Award-winning architects have drawn on the town's stonework, scale, rooflines and rhythm. Instead of one large block, there will be a mix of buildings that connect with the streets around them.

Why homes, and why so many?

Tim said: "High Peak has an ageing population, and many young people who leave for university or work don't come back. New homes in a buzzing community can help Buxton keep and attract younger working people."

Some residents back the need for homes but worry about scale. The Local Plan, which went through public consultation, identifies a need for hundreds of new homes. Building on brownfield land in the town centre where the amenities are also takes pressure off surrounding green space and the roads around them.

Tim acknowledged that people question whether Buxton needs more homes. "There are plenty of homes for sale in Buxton," he said. "What's harder to find is good rental housing for younger people and working families. Where people can find a home they can afford in a place they want to live, they come."

What about shops and footfall?

Around 800 more people could live within walking distance of Buxton's shops and businesses. "That's extra footfall seven days a week, all year round," said Tim. The team is working with a range of retailers, including Waitrose, and says several new stores are keen to be involved. "For example, we're focused on bringing M&S back into the town."

What about parking and traffic?

“We've listened, and the plans have changed.

“No resident parking on the development?

“The car park is staying as it is, for shoppers and visitors only. That means people popping to Waitrose or spending time in town can still park easily. Our residents will use spaces elsewhere in town, and we're exploring new car parks to help. You told us what mattered, and we listened.”

No impact on visitors.

The current car park stays open until a new one is built. The new one will be the same distance from the shops and Waitrose, and even better, it will be under cover.

Disabled parking.

“Following feedback, we're also exploring how to add more disabled spaces than currently provided.

“The developer is also confident the scheme will reduce town centre traffic. A better green walkway between the town and the railway station will make the walk easier and quicker. There will also be public toilets, plus disabled toilets achieving 'Changing Places’ standards.”

What about technical concerns, like flooding?

Opening up a buried river raises fair questions.

Capital&Centric says it’s more than aesthetics, it’s part of the solution to reduce future floods, working closely with the Environment Agency, it’s designed to reduce flood risk and limit the impact when flooding does happen. "Buxton flooded badly in 2021 and 2023, and floods seem increasingly likely, so we need to make improvements to minimise the harm and risk."

Bringing the River Wye back

"Daylighting" means removing the structures covering a buried waterway so it can be seen again. In Buxton, that means a place to eat, meet and relax by the water, with the river part of daily life once more. Tim said: "Buxton is famous for its springs and waters. This will only add to the town centre, with more water on show and the Wye a visible part of everyday life."

"I love this town."

"I love Buxton, and I want to see it thrive," said Tim. "I know change is hard when people love a place, and I'd be worried if they didn't. But I believe Buxton is underachieving its potential. With the right homes, shops and spaces, it can bring more people into the whole town, not just the centre, every day of the year, making it a more attractive place to live."

Still have concerns?

"Most of the worries we've heard, we are actively going to talk to people about and answer in places like this interview. We would rather talk about them openly than ignore them," said Tim. "If we haven't answered yours, come and tell us."