Plans to build 4,500 new homes, 3.4 million sq ft of employment space, and support for 5,000 new jobs in Derby are set to take another step forward next week.
The South Derby Growth Zone is being planned for land to the south of the city between Sinfin and Chellaston.
The proposals have already received an offer of £49.6 million from the Levelling Up Fund, reliant on a full business case being submitted.
Derby City Council cabinet is now set to vote on granting powers for the plans and transferring £500,000 of Homes England Garden Villages funding to the Derbyshire County Council so that it can finalise the business case.
The scheme incorporates Infinity Park Derby, a planned 100 acre business park next to the world headquarters of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace and within 15 minutes of blue chip manufacturers such as Toyota, Alstom and JCB.
It is backed by Derby City Council, the Harpur Crewe Estate and Rolls-Royce along with developers IPD LLP, Wilson Bowden and Peveril Securities, and could offer potential tenants design and build packages up to 500,000 sq ft.
Meanwhile the neighbouring Infinity Garden Village would be one of 14 new garden villages announced by the Government in 2017 to try and help meet local housing needs – especially for first-time buyers.
In anticipation of the plans the county council is set to gain highways powers within the city boundary to allow work to start on a junction and link road off the A50, which runs along the southern edge of the plans.
The city council said without the new junction only around 280 of the possible 4,500 new homes would be possible.
Councillor Steve Hassall, city council cabinet member for regeneration, decarbonisation, strategic planning and transport, said the recommendation will be discussed at the cabinet on Wednesday, February 15.
He said: “The South Derby Growth Zone is a big opportunity to deliver high quality housing and jobs for Derby, whilst also providing a brand-new transport link in the south of the city.
“Entering into these collaborative agreements demonstrates our commitment to the project and to the city.
“By allowing the transfer of powers and funds to our colleagues at Derbyshire County Council, we can ensure good progress continues to be made towards the completion of the LUF business case and delivery of the new road junction.”
