Steer Economic Development was commissioned to undertake an assessment of the feasibility of developing an Innovation Park at the former Coalite site, a 60-hectare former chemicals site spanning the Bolsover and North East Derbyshire Districts. The work was commissioned by Bolsover District Council, as part of a consortium with Derbyshire County Council and North East Derbyshire District Council.
The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of creating a successful Innovation Park at the site, this taking account of locally-differentiated innovation capacity and capability, local strategy priorities, and wider technology and market trends.
Steer Economic Development undertook a mixed-methods approach to the study, this including market demand/supply side assessments, national and international case studies highlighting critical success factors, and a range of one-to-one consultations with local partners. Supported by quantitative and qualitative evidence, Steer Economic Development developed a series of ranked options for potential uses to create high-value employment. The study’s output highlighted the most favourable options based on a range of criteria, with recommended actions provided for progressing these.