MEC were commissioned by The Welbeck Estates Company to support an outline planning application for the redevelopment of Bolsover Business Park. The application comprised up to 6,500 sqm of new employment units, retention of 2,270 sqm of existing office space, two new retail units totalling up to 3,200 sqm, including a food retailer and a drive-thru takeout unit with parking.
The site, located on Station Road, A632, is a brownfield site comprising existing businesses at the Bolsover Business Park. Highway Impact and the Grade I listed Bolsover Castle presented notable technical and heritage considerations. While the development aims to boost the local economy, concerns were raised about potential impacts on town centre trade and views from the castle.
MEC provided multi-disciplinary consultancy support to assist in the planning process. Our Transport team prepared a detailed Transport Assessment and Travel Plan to assess the development’s impact on the local highway network, designed a new access that met visibility and safety requirements, reviewed parking provision, and carried out vehicle tracking assessments to ensure safe manoeuvrability for refuse and emergency vehicles. We also evaluated pedestrian connections and access to public transport, helping demonstrate the site’s sustainability credentials.
Our Geomatics team undertook a full Topographical Survey and utility mapping of the site to inform both the access design and wider site layout. Following the planning approval, our Geo-Environmental team has now been instructed to carry out Phase 2 ground investigations to inform the next stage of the development.
The key challenge was the site’s location and access onto the local highway network. In addition, existing boundary treatments and highway alignment restricted visibility, requiring a carefully considered access design.
Despite these constraints, MEC’s thorough analysis and engagement with design standards allowed us to successfully justify the access strategy and demonstrate that the development would generate minimal traffic impact. Our Transport Assessment provided the evidence required to address local authority concerns, ultimately supporting a smooth route through the planning process.
While there were no significant topographical challenges, the site’s age meant it contained numerous existing utilities and culverted watercourses. These were carefully mapped and considered as part of the access design and wider infrastructure strategy.
As a result, outline planning permission was granted, enabling the site to be brought back into beneficial use and contributing to much-needed housing delivery in the area.
Tim Rose, Regional Director at MEC, commented: "This site presented a number of technical challenges particularly around access and impact on the local highway network. Our team worked closely with the client and local authority to design a safe and practical access solution, underpinned by clear evidence and transport data. With support from our Geomatics team and ongoing Geo-Environmental input, this has been a strong example of how focused, discipline-led input can secure planning while laying the groundwork for successful delivery."
For further information about our services, please click here.
back