Planning consent approved for the completion of Dove Valley Park

We are delighted to share the latest update from the Dove Valley Park project we are working on with Clowes Developments. In February 2025, South Derbyshire District Council unanimously approved completion plans.

The team at IMA Architects supported the submission of the detailed planning application and the consent granted will now allow immediate development. The existing infrastructure of Dove Valley Park is already in place to extend into the site.

The consented development will transform an area of land adjacent to Dove Valley Park into a thriving centre of employment, creating local jobs and bringing economic benefits to Derbyshire. It will complete the overall developments of the business park at Dove Valley Park, forming the eastern part of the major 200-acre employment site on the A50 in South Derbyshire that is home to occupiers including JCB, Top Hat, Futaba Ltd and GXO.

Ben Hall, Managing Director at IMA said: “This is a great milestone for the Dove Valley Park project. Once developed, the 35-acre site will create over 700,000 sq ft of employment space for B2, B8, with ancillary E(g) use. Four units of varying sizes will be created to meet market demand for quality industrial space, along with the necessary associated hard and soft landscaping, car parking and infrastructure. We’re excited to see this project through to completion and unlock its full potential.”

In addition, a new Innovation Centre will be developed that will serve as a central hub for all businesses in the local vicinity. The Innovation Centre is designed to draw people together and provide space for gatherings, informal meeting space and access to external areas. There will also be a cafe/restaurant and amenity space. The Innovation Centre will also serve as a place for start-up businesses and has been developed in consultation with The University of Derby.

Commenting on the consent, Marc Freeman Director at Clowes Developments said: “Our detailed planning application for the final phase of development at Dove Valley Park was unanimously approved at February’s committee. This will not only bring over 700,000 sq ft of employment space to Foston, but also provide an Innovation Centre with essential amenities, a central hub for businesses and an opportunity for startup businesses at the thriving business park.

As part of the consent, a new bus route will be created to provide essential public transport links from Derby City centre directly to Dove Valley Park. This will complement the existing bus route from Uttoxeter to the business park with timings amended to match employee shift patterns on site.

Tom Morley, Senior Land and Planning Surveyor at Clowes Developments added: “We have worked closely with both South Derbyshire District Council and Derbyshire County Council to research existing routes, this also included canvassing opinion of current occupiers on the existing service to DVP and how it could be improved to meet the needs of its users. Through extensive consultation Dove Valley Park Limited have been able to identify the necessary requirements to help grow and develop the existing service. The service will see additional stops through Derby City meaning DVP will become even more accessible to current and future occupiers and their employees.”

The team is eager to begin the final construction phase which will see Dove Valley Park fully developed. The aim is to start works onsite before the end of 2025.

More information regarding design and build opportunities at Dove Valley Park can found on the website clowes-dvp.co.uk. Please contact the site’s agents directly for further details, Tim Gilbertson, FHP Property Consultants via tim@fhp.co.uk or Nick Waddington, Carter Jonas on nick.waddington@carterjonas.co.uk.

For more information on IMA Architects’ innovative design and planning services, visit: https://ima-architects.co.uk/services/architecture/.