Job creation ✓
Brownfield Land ✓
Strengthening the rural economy ✓
Enhancing the countryside ✓
Protecting endangered species ✓

Iceni Projects, acting on behalf of Curtis Hall Ltd, has secured detailed approval from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for the redevelopment of the former Nailstone Colliery site in Leicestershire, covering 143 hectares of a redundant colliery and surrounding farmland.

The proposals entail the development of a million square foot (c. 100,000 sqm) of employment provision, surrounded by 88ha of enhanced farmland in the form of a Country Park which will be publicly accessible for a range of recreational and leisure uses.

The main political parties are promising the creation of significant employment opportunities, and this scheme resonates across them all. As well as providing a boost to the construction industry, approximately 1,300 jobs will be created on site for the long term.

The redevelopment of the application site provides an opportunity to capture a range of wider, economic, environmental and social benefits. These range from the contributions made to build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, job creation being key to the vitality of local towns and villages, to ensuring a 50 year vision for the Country Park which ensures the longevity of this educational, ecological and recreational resource.

Due to the nature of the previous economic climate, the redevelopment of the site stalled. The commitment to kick start the scheme once again shows a great confidence and a commitment to delivering significant economic growth in the area.

To-date, tree planting has been carried out on a huge scale, over 1,000 newts have been found for relocation within the site, and the delivery of the first commercial building and phase 1 of the Country Park is all set to go.

Irrespective of the General Election outcome and unlike the pledges put forward by our competing political parties, the redevelopment of this former colliery is one that will be beneficial to all.