Plans for £300m high-tech food campus set to be approved


Plans for a £300m high-tech food manufacturing and distribution campus in Derby which could create up to 5,000 jobs have been recommended for approval, a recent news report in the local media has been able to suggest.

The planned 1.8 million sq ft hub would provide state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, start-up incubation units and a potential location for a Food Manufacturing Technology Centre of Excellence.

The scheme proposes 13 units dedicated to food production, including a distribution centre, a unit for small start-up businesses linked to the food industry, and energy/waste centres.

Additionally, 2,100 car parking spaces are proposed, including accessible spaces and 130 EV spaces with 60 cycle spaces and 20 motorcycle spaces.

A council document published ahead of the planning committee meeting on 15 April said: “This application has the potential to unlock significant investment into Derby and be an important part of the economic recovery following on from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The potential economic benefits of the project, including the prospect of accommodating some 5,000 jobs, are highly significant, warmly welcomed and should be given considerable weight in determining this application.

“The creation of a SmartParc associated with food production would help to diversify the economic base of the city and would contribute to various objectives.

“There are clearly some major issues to be resolved in bringing this site forward for development, such as land contamination, flood risk and accessibility.

“However, colleagues and partners have devoted considerable energy to understanding a range of complex technical issues to date and, subject to stretching conditions and commitments from the developer, these issues will be carefully addressed as the phases of detailed development are brought forward.”

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