The first properties have been sold in a new town being built in a former quarry in the heart of the Peak District.
Matlock Spa is under construction on the edge of the town of Matlock in north Derbyshire, a mile from the tourist attractions of Matlock Bath and the Heights of Abraham.
In all 494 two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments and houses are being built across five “spa villages” – Gateway Spa, Crescent Spa, Woodland Spa, Village Spa and Spa Crescent.
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The overall plans will take seven years to complete, and will eventually be home to 2,000 people, or 10 per cent of the population of Matlock.
The area will also have a new country park and woodland, and positively promote cycling, walking and healthy living.
There will also be 300,000 sq ft of business space, complete with grass roofs and solar panels.
The first completions were advised by Nelsons law firm, which has offices in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.
Mary Gharmount, senior associate and solicitor in Nelsons’ commercial property team, said the sales were agreed even before the first properties were formally marketed.
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The firm has been closely involved in setting up of the site and has been overseeing sales, the first of which was a £465,000 penthouse in the first Gateway Spa phase of the Rifkind Associates development.
Charles Rifkind, founder of Rifkind Associates, which is based in London, said: “In terms of vision, created some 20 years ago, this development will be one of a kind in Derbyshire and it’s becoming appreciated by all who visit.
“The properties are being built out of Birchover stone, which is sourced a few miles away from the area itself, meaning the local and communal spirit we’re offering is literally built into the vision.
“Working with Mary and the team has been fantastic from the moment we appointed them.
“It was crucial that we work with companies that not only have that development experience, but also that local knowledge and expertise to help bring this aspirational development to life, and Nelsons has done that without a shadow of a doubt.”
Ms Gharmount said: “This is a significant development for Matlock. A new residential development of this size is exactly what people wanting to move away from the city and into a more rural area are looking for.
“Situated a stone’s throw away from the train station for commuting to Derby in one direction and the Derbyshire Peak District in the other, it’s a location that’s full of potential – the Duke of Devonshire described it as “a wonderful addition to Matlock and North Derbyshire” on his visit during the completion of the first phase.
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“It will no doubt generate a rivalry to those living in other spa towns of Bath and Buxton.
“Projects such as this are always a pleasure to work on and we’re very excited to continue working with Charles to build this new community in the coming years as work on the next phase, Spa Lofts, gets underway.”
Lee Armstrong, branch partner at Fine and Country, has been appointed as the onsite sales agent and Matlock-based Wildgoose Construction was the project’s contractors.