Derby’s regeneration plans have been strengthened following a new partnership between Homes England and the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, signed a Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, on Tuesday 2 December during a tour of Derby’s regeneration locations. The partnership signals a long-term commitment from Homes England to support the Mayor's ambition to build 100,000 homes across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
In Derby, the spotlight was on Castleward, one of the city’s largest housing projects, and the wider Station Quarter area, which is set to be redeveloped into a vibrant, urban community around Derby Railway Station. Both areas form part of the ambition for sustainable and affordable housing developments in the city centre.
Work is continuing to progress at Castleward. Situated between the Derbion shopping centre and Derby Midland station, the £100 million development will soon enter its fifth phase which will see 167 new homes built around Canal Street and New Street. 30% of these will be listed as affordable homes. In total, the scheme will provide around 700 new homes alongside green space and nearly 35,000 square feet of commercial retail space.
Alongside Castleward, the development of the Station Quarter will see a more welcoming gateway to the city and will encourage further residential developments, providing an attractive route from the station to the city centre.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy said:
The Strategic Partnership agreement between Homes England and EMCCA comes at the right time for Derby, and I was delighted to welcome Homes England to Derby for a tour of the city.
We are already reshaping key parts of the city through Castleward, the Station Quarter and more. This new partnership agreement gives us greater confidence that we can unlock the next stages of our regeneration ambitions. By working closely with partners, we can bring forward new homes, support economic growth and continue to build a city that is sustainable and ready for the future.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:
This new partnership marks an important moment for the East Midlands. By working hand in hand with Homes England, we are ensuring that our ambition to deliver 100,000 new homes is based on a solid foundation.
Building these homes is one of the most important ways that our investments will benefit local people. It is how we will deliver, which is at the heart of my mission as Mayor. That means building more homes and creating stronger, more connected communities with the jobs, infrastructure, and regeneration our local people deserve.
Our partnership with Homes England is a long-term investment in our future. Together, we are building an East Midlands that is vibrant, fair, and forward-looking – a place we can all be proud to call home.