New business park can host 4,000 jobs

Summit Park is a 45-acre mixed-use scheme offering industrial, office, logistics, leisure and roadside opportunities which is being developed by South Normanton based developer Sladen Estates.

The site, formerly known as Prologis Park, has planning permission for business, general industrial use and storage and distribution and is close to junction 28 of the M1, via the A38.

Coun Chris Baron, leader of Ashfield District Council, said: “It’s an ideal location and there’s huge potential for investors. Ashfield council has pledged to fast track applications for businesses. Unless there are major objections we will determine them in six weeks. This gives a clear indication to potential employers that we are open for business. For far too long Ashfield and Mansfield have been low-wage, low-skilled economies. We’re both aiming to upskill people and the more skills you have the higher wages you will earn.The infrastructure is there - we’re now waiting for the first major developer and then others will follow.”

Chief executive of Sladen Estates Nick Sladen said Summit Park was set to put Mansfield and Ashfield on the map for new business growth and is designed to serve all types of business.

George Cowcher, of the Chamber of Commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, said: “When Markham Vale was mooted, much was made of claims that it would create 5,000 jobs. When that didn’t happen overnight there was a great deal of scepticism expressed. But there are more people working at Markham Vale today than ever there were when it was a colliery and it continues to develop.”