Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, is pleased to announce the opening of a new 50-acre country park at its Cadley Park development in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.
Cadley Park occupies the former site of Cadley Hill Colliery, which operated for over one hundred years before closing in 1988, becoming the last deep mine to close in South Derbyshire. In 2015, Harworth secured an outline planning permission to deliver up to 600 new homes at the site, alongside a golf course, driving range and the country park.
Since 2018, Harworth has sold residential land parcels to Taylor Wimpey, Avant Homes and Cameron Homes for the development of new family houses at the site, while continuing work on land remediation, infrastructure provision and the establishment of extensive green space. In 2018, Harworth completed the development of a nine-hole golf course and driving range at the site, which has facilities catering for a wide range of users, from professionals to families and beginners.
The new country park has been named Coronation Park to commemorate the upcoming coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort. It has been developed by Harworth, working in close partnership with South Derbyshire District Council as well as the National Forest, RSPB, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the local community.
The park benefits from new purpose-built footpaths and cycleways, a picnic area and community orchard, as well as new habitats to protect and promote local wildlife, with the site already being home to bats, owls, coots, swans, geese and kingfishers. At the heart of the green space is a memorial pit wheel, providing a poignant reminder of the site’s rich mining history and commemorating the lives of former colliery workers. This approach aligns with Harworth’s commitment to preserving heritage, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and protecting and promoting biodiversity as part of its sustainability programme, The Harworth Way.
The park was officially opened with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by Councillor Paul Dunn, Chair of South Derbyshire District Council, accompanied by members of the Harworth team and the council. Over 500 local residents were in attendance at the opening, enjoying live entertainment and taking part in a range of organised community activities including bird watching, pond dipping, tree mulching and orchard planting.
This weekend also saw the opening of a British Cycling-funded cycle hub, which includes a pump track and learn-to-ride facility, where children and new-to-intermediate cyclists can hone their skills. The cycling hub was developed on land adjacent to the park, which is to be transferred from Harworth to South Derbyshire District Council.
“The opening of Coronation Park demonstrates The Harworth Way in action: creating, strengthening and supporting the communities we create both today and in the future. It has been the culmination of many years spent remediating this former colliery site and repurposing it for the next generation, and I would like to pay tribute to South Derbyshire District Council for its collaborative approach and vision in helping us deliver this site. We are very proud of the result, which has seen the creation of new infrastructure, homes and a range of amenities for the local area, and has provided this extensive green space which will be enjoyed for decades to come.”
Ed Catchpole, Regional Director for Yorkshire & Central at Harworth