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Time for a town centre rethink – 2
We need to give people a reason to visit our town centre. Play areas for children (indoor and outdoor) might be one attraction. Imagine kids playing in water fountains in the summer – and asking their parents to visit the town. Is there a role for more leisure? Maybe a boutique cinema that offers food…
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Time for town centre rethink – 1
This is the first in a short-series of posts in the run-up to our public meeting, on whether we need to rethink Chesterfield town centre, on 27th February. Town centres the world over are having to change. Online shopping, out-of-town shopping centres and supermarkets have meant that for everyone shopping habits have changed dramatically; add…
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Plaques progress
There’s progress to report the Civic Society’s blue plaque scheme – one new to be installed shortly, with a replacement also planned. A new plaque – for the Winding Wheel The new plaque will be installed on the Winding Wheel, in February. It commemorates the building’s origins and current use – now a popular entertainment…
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Town centre future discussion meeting
The Civic Society wants your views on the future of Chesterfield’s town centre and we are holding a meeting to discuss this on the evening of 27 February. Though the borough council have successively invested in the town centre, like most other towns and cities, the changing face of retail is having an adverse impact.…
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Cautious welcome for Tapton House decision
Chesterfield and District Civic Society have given a cautious welcome to Chesterfield Borough Council’s recent decision on Tapton House and are welcoming ‘due diligence’ moves to be taken on the bid. At the council’s cabinet meeting on 13 December 2022 a decision was taken to lease the property to Stone Castle Enterprises Ltd. for a 999-year term.…
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Latest committee meeting
Our committee meets around every two months or so to discuss issues around the Chesterfield area. Our latest meeting looked at arrangements for placing our next blue plaque – on the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield (probably in January) and progress on our planned town trail leaflet, amongst other issues. Like others, we remain concerned about…
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Four Chesterfield buildings on at risk register
Historic England have published their 2022 buildings at risk register. There are four buildings listed in Chesterfield borough – two at Brampton Manor, the Church of St Thomas, Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield and Walton Works, Walton Fields Road, Brampton. To view the Midlands list, which includes Derbyshire, follow the link below. Historic England – Heritage at…
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Cycle route approved
Derbyshire County Council have announced that Crow Lane in Chesterfield will close permanently to vehicles for a dedicated cycle and walking route. A cycle lane on Chatsworth Road will also be built and the current 30mph speed limit will be extended. These decisions were taken by Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport on 9…
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Uncertain future for St Andrew’s Barrow Hill
St Andrew’s Barrow Hill – the unique Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin church is unlikely to be reopened after services there were suspended around the outbreak of Covid. The sad task of trying to find a use for the contents and secure the future of the historic organ and the stained-glass windows is already being…
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Response to Tapton House letter in the Derbyshire Times
Chesterfield and District Civic Society have responded to a letter published in the Derbyshire Times edition of 22 September 2022. Our response refutes statements made in the letter by a representative from the so-called ‘Have Your Say Residents Group Chesterfield’. Letter to the Editor, the Derbyshire Times Steve Jones and his residents’ group have no…
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