Green light for two major projects set to transform Mansfield district

Mansfield Council has received the go-ahead for the Warsop Health Hub and Mansfield Woodhouse Station Gateway, following a delegated decision by a chief council finance officer.

The projects will now be shared with the Making Mansfield Place Board ahead of submitting the required planning applications, appointing contractors and beginning construction.

The schemes are just two of the projects included in the council’s £12.3 million Towns Fund allocation. Three projects – Berry Hill Park, Destination Mansfield and Smart Mansfield – were approved by officers and endorsed by the Place Board members earlier this year.

Some £506,000 has been set aside for the gateway scheme, creating three business units on a former brownfield site adjacent to the railway station.

Martyn Saxton, council head of planning and regeneration, said the project, creating 290 sq metres of commercial floor space and due for completion by spring, will ‘support the growth of businesses in Mansfield and create jobs’.

He said: “The scheme will see the delivery of three industrial units, complementing the six-unit development already on the site.

“There is a healthy demand for small industrial spaces and currently Mansfield has a limited supply.

“This project will not just deliver positive visual improvements to the currently derelict land, but also offer employment growth in the area.”

The full council agreed in March to earmark £1.5m from reserves and borrow up to £3.5m to deliver the Warsop Health Hub.

Another £3m is allocated to the plan from the Towns Fund and a bid has been submitted to Sport England for a further £1.5million.

The scheme will see a 15 metres by 8m swimming pool, a changing village, fitness suite, multi-purpose hall and multi-use games area created.

David Evans, council head of health and communities, said: “We are committed to building these new community facilities in Warsop.

“We hope to see them transform a huge part of our community and bring improvement to the quality of life for local people. They will also help to address some of the health inequalities that exist in this district.

“We have committed our own funding to this scheme as well as Towns Fund money and are hopeful of securing additional funds from Sport England in the near future.

“The Warsop Health Hub is now moving forward in the development of its final design with planning permission expected to be secured by March 2023, and works to commence on site later in the year.”

The Berry Hill Destination Park scheme aims to redevelop the park and make it more accessible, including a new visitor centre, café, adventure play area and performance space along with improvements to paths.

SMART Mansfield aims to improve internet connectivity and allow the use of smart technology in both rural areas and in the town centre.

Destination Mansfield, aims to ‘redefine and rebrand the district as a place of choice in which to live, work and visit’. The £715,000 project, including £500,000 from the fund, will see improved event and cultural activities over three years, including trails and festivals to highlight Mansfield’s history and heritage, improve perception of the area and increase the number of visitors.