East Midlands Vision for Growth

The Trent Arc aims to better connect Derby and Nottingham, and a new town will create opportunities for jobs and homes in the region. Businesses will be supported to grow in the city centres, and new sites will attract clean energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing companies. Major roads including the M1 will be upgraded, and better public transport options will help people to travel between the cities. The natural environment will also be an important part of the Trent Arc project, with improvements planned for areas like the Attenborough Nature Reserve.

Key details:

• More than 30,000 new homes
• Over 40,000 jobs created
• 2.7 million square meters of floorspace for businesses
• £2.4 billion per year added to the economy

Towns like Chesterfield, Worksop, and Retford that are linked by the Chesterfield canal will work together to grow local business opportunities, improve services for communities, and attract more visitors. The Canal Corridor will link these towns to the East Midlands Investment Zone and the Supercluster, linking local people to skilled job opportunities.

Key details:

• 3,900 new homes
• 7,800 new jobs
• £473 million added to the local economy each year

The Supercluster is focused on three former coal-fired power stations located in West Burton, Cottam, and High Marnham. Already home to the UK Government’s world-leading Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) fusion project, the Supercluster will attract clean energy, artificial intelligence, and technology companies to the region. A new discovery centre for investors, schools, and members of the public to learn about the innovative work at the Supercluster will be built, alongside eco-friendly homes, improved public transport, and exciting leisure opportunities.

Key details:

• 6,800 new homes
• 15,500 new jobs
• £930 million added to the local economy per year

Derwent Valley Mills is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is known as the birthplace of the industrial revolution. The Valley is a growing tourist destination, including the 55-mile Heritage Way, Masson Mill Texture Museum, and many cafes and galleries. The vision aims to create new homes, inspirational workplaces for artists, makers, and creatives, as well as more visitor attractions.

The Peak District and Derbyshire Dales are known for their beautiful landscapes, from rolling hills to picturesque villages. The vision looks to upgrade the tourism offer and add better transport options to encourage visitors to stay longer. Rural communities will be supported with access to housing for local people, faster broadband, and improved telecoms infrastructure.

The Heartlands sit in the centre of the East Midlands region and includes former mining communities based across the countryside. Improvements to the area will be based on a ‘Heartlands Process’ that puts local communities at the centre of decisions made for specific places. A variety of options will be available to these towns and villages, including faster broadband, high street upgrades, better public transport, support for local businesses, or funding for community-led projects.

The Loop is a long-distance walking trail that united Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The trail will take visitors on a journey through the very best of the region – rolling countryside, characterful market towns, and thriving cities. The Loop will link to the region’s beautiful nature reserves, heritage sites, and great country pubs.