Dronfield Eye Issue 213 September 2023

dronfield EYE
Unstone development update
Plans have again moved
forward for the longpromised
major tourist
resort at Unstone
P
EAK is described as a yearround
leisure, education,
wellness, and entertainment
destination set on 300 acres
of reclaimed opencast land.
The masterplan for the
development describes PEAK as
similar to a ski village, and
developed around a carless
transport and mobility system
connected to the Peak Park.
Phase 1 of development
includes what has been named
The Gateway at PEAK – the UK’s
first fully serviced national park
gateway and destination in its own right, costing £150m and
creating 1,000 jobs.
Specialist destination developer Milligan has formed a joint
venture with landowners Birchall Properties to develop the
scheme, working together with Chesterfield Borough Council,
the Peak District National Park Authority, and the University of
Derby.
Stirling Prize-winning architects Stanton Williams have been
appointed as its designers. Peak Gateway Properties has briefed
the team to design the build and operations around the
principles of a ‘regenerative
enterprise’, promoting the restoration
and regeneration of natural resources
and social systems. The ambition is for
The Gateway to generate its own
energy and process its own waste.
John Milligan, CEO of Peak Gateway
Properties and chairman of Milligan,
said: “It used to be that an iconic
building was one that stood out from
its surroundings. The Gateway will be
iconic, but we’re setting a new
standard for what that means. Here
buildings will integrate with their
surroundings and work to enhance
biodiversity beyond what will be
mandated.
“We want to attract a discerning visitor,
who cares about the protection of the UK’s original National Park
and wants to enjoy the wellbeing benefits that nature and being
in the outdoors, for either leisure or sport, can provide. A wide
range of experiential retail brands with a unique proposition
centred on nature and the outdoors will help create the
destination.
“The travel hub is central to the Gateway’s proposition, allowing
visitors to transition into electric or hydrogen vehicles for onward
exploration of the Park, its stunning landscapes and thousands of
activities and attractions. This is a way to expand access to the
park and support more destinations in a low impact way.
Currently 85% of visitors travel into the park by car which is not
sustainable.
“Last year, we ran the first trial for the travel hub alongside
Toyota and other local partners. The technology operated on a
40% regenerative energy basis which is fantastic. The trial
stakeholders and users endorsed the urgent requirement for this
14
Bird’s-eye view of the latest plans for the PEAK resort
How Dronfield Eye reported early
plans for the site 17 years ago
sort of service – when it’s up and running we hope it will be an
exemplar for other hubs around the Park and for other National
Parks in the UK to follow.”
The Gateway also includes a 165-room resort hotel, food and
drink outlets and retail spaces.
Previously published information relating to Phase 1 outlines
other elements to include The Wellness at PEAK - a £100m
health and well-being park, consisting of an international
standard clinic, world-class spa hotel, specialist lodging and
therapeutic gardens.
It was back in 1989 that planners
granted permission for 2,000 hotel
rooms and 250 holiday cottages on the
property with all year leisure, business,
entertainment and education facilities.
Further detailed applications have
resulted in reserved matters permission
being granted in 2008, with revisions
in 2016, 2019 and 2020.
Day visitor permission was added in
2005 and the A61 roundabout access
was granted in 2009.
Following receipt of Sheffield City
Region funding for public
infrastructure, the resort A61
roundabout and rights of way for
cyclists and walkers were completed in
2018.
The founders of Birchall Properties have invested over 35 years
in nature recovery and passive rewilding at the site.
Rupert Carr, a founder shareholder in Birchall Properties
and a director of PEAK Gateway Properties, said: “The planning
consents for PEAK Gateway Resort were implemented and
safeguarded in 2016.
“We are very pleased to be moving forward again after
surviving the challenges of Brexit and COVID.
“The realisation of Gateway fulfils our long-held ambition
to showcase regenerative enterprise through land reclamation,
a low carbon build and significant local employment
creation.
“It is particularly pleasing to be a first mover in respect of
offering tourists a zero carbon, carless mobility service to the
attractions and landscapes of the UK’s first national park and to
the medieval market town of Chesterfield.”
The Gateway is due to open in winter 2026.