Derbyshire rural enterprise open for business
A Derbyshire landowner’s vision has seen the launch of a prestigious business base at a historic rural location.
Hathersage Hall Business Centre, the brainchild of Michael Shuttleworth, has been officially opened and is now set to bring leading knowledge-based businesses into the spectacular Peak District National Park.
Expansion of Michael’s 18th century family owned farm complex started way back in the 1980s. Copious planning applications were submitted before economic, social, heritage, environmental and planning logistics were finally met allowing listed stone-buildings to become state-of-the-art offices.
Rural economy watchdog the Country Land and Business Association(CLA)has praised the initiative. CLA Spokesman Tim Barnes-Clay said: "Hathersage Hall Business Centre is a unique development for the Peak District and shows the flexible options for the redevelopment of period buildings, to both generate business for rural Derbyshire and to maintain its delicate architectural heritage.
"The CLA has been calling for more of a balance to the local rural economy by bringing in better paid jobs – and this is exactly what Michael Shuttleworth aims to do in Derbyshire. He plans to relieve people from the stress of commuting, allowing some to walk or cycle to work – something which the CLA backs wholeheartedly."
Located 20 minutes south of Sheffield city centre, the 12,500 sq ft complex is the first development within the confines of the Peak District to combine buildings with such provenance and new-build structures to create a top specification commercial property hub.
Michael Shuttleworth, Director of Hathersage Developments Ltd, said: "This development is one of the first of its kind for the Peak District and aims to provide business space within the National Park which is dedicated to knowledge based businesses.
"Hathersage Hall Business Park will generate throughput of commerce, establish high-earning jobs in the village and provide sustainable income via business rents, all of which immediately benefit the local economy.
"It has taken many years to reach fruition, but the project now acts as a showcase for what can be done with redundant historic buildings. These buildings were in agricultural use for many years but are simply not suitable for modern farming practises."
The £2.3m development includes raised access floors, air source heat pumps, under floor heating, high-speed fibre-optic broadband connectivity, meeting rooms, shared communal green spaces, open hillside views, landscaped grounds and its own fruit orchard.
Units are available on negotiable six to ten year leases with mid-term break points from mid October
