Part B — KEY THEMES

Spatial Priorities

Aim 06

Promote a cohesive and coherent understanding of the DVMWHS by identifying its differing spatial needs and priorities.

Context

As a linear World Heritage Site running along a 25 kilometre stretch of river, the Derwent Valley Mills Site can be challenging on a number of levels. Actions for overcoming those challenges are described under Aims One to Seven.

One way of better understanding the Site, and strengthening interconnectivity within clearly defined geographical areas, is to break the DVMWHS into three hubs, or clusters, with Cromford, Masson and Lea Bridge in the north, Belper and Milford at the centre, and Darley Abbey and Derby to the south.

This allows greater focus on issues that matter in three different sections of the WHS – a village and tight valley gorge to the north; a busy market town and village set in a wider valley landscape at the centre; and a suburban community and parkland closing to a point in a modern city centre.

The development of three hubs, and geographical allocation of related actions under Aims One to Five allows the different priorities within each hub to be more clearly understood so that a more coherent approach to development can be established, sitting beneath a wider umbrella for the whole World Heritage Site.

The Partnership did at one stage look at developing Cluster Groups for Cromford, Belper and Derby, following the identification of the three hubs in the Tourism and Marketing Plan (2011). These informal groupings of local people, businesses and interest groups were to generate projects and initiatives relating to their part of the DVMWHS. The Belper Cluster Group was the first to be developed in 2012, with a number of successful initiatives resulting in Belper winning The Great British High Street Competition 2014. Reduced staffing and resources within the DVMWHS team since 2016 have, however, made these additional groups unsustainable in their original concept.⁶   Alternative ways of strengthening and developing the hubs need to be identified.

⁶ Much of the work carried out by the Belper Cluster Group is now coordinated by the Love Belper Group, formed by the town’s independent retailers and allies. 

Objectives and Actions for 2020-25

Obj 6.1

The top five priorities for the Southern Hub of the DVMWHS:

ACT 1.6.5
Assist in the production of a public realm strategy for the Darley Abbey Mills site that protects its historic character and significance. This should incorporate an assessment of access via the river.

ACT 2.1.7
Through activities such as ‘Spirit of Place’, develop a standardised non-technical description of the DVMWHS. From this description, a series of messages, including taglines and themes, will be developed. This will enable the story and OUV of the DVMWHS to be communicated simply and effectively to the widest possible range of audiences.

ACT 3.1.4
Support the development of the Museum of Making at the Silk Mill in Derby.

ACT 3.1.5
Support Derby Museums in promoting the DVMWHS at the Museum of Making to ensure it functions as the Southern Gateway to the DVMWHS.

ACT 3.1.6
Look at options for strengthening and developing the southern, central and northern hubs of the DVMWHS to promote it as a coherent tourist destination.

Obj 6.2

The top five priorities for the Central Hub of the DVMWHS:

ACT 1.5.1
Assist Amber Valley Borough Council and the owners in securing a robust and up-to-date buildings condition survey for the Belper Mill Complex.

ACT 1.5.2
Assist Amber Valley Borough Council, the owners and other appropriate partners to find an acceptable re-use of the Belper Mill Complex that contributes to the viability and vitality of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site (see also Objective 3.2).

ACT 1.6.3
Assist residents in the Cluster roads in Belper to realise an appropriate public realm improvement scheme that protects the historic character and significance of the area.

ACT 2.1.7
Through activities such as ‘Spirit of Place’, develop a standardised non-technical description of the DVMWHS. From this description, a series of messages, including taglines and themes, will be developed. This will enable the story and OUV of the DVMWHS to be communicated simply and effectively to the widest possible range of audiences.

ACT 3.2.3
Assist Amber Valley Borough Council, in consultation with Belper North Mill Trust and the site owner, to commission an options and feasibility appraisal for a world-class visitor centre, as part of any development proposals.

Obj 6.3

The top five priorities for the Northern Hub of the DVMWHS:

ACT 1.6.1
Establish a consensus for a public realm improvement scheme for Mill Road/Lane at Cromford that facilitates the reinstatement of the aqueduct to Arkwright’s first mill and pedestrian movement across Mill Lane/Road between the Cromford Mill site and the canal wharf, integrating high vehicle warning signs, vehicle turning and the removal of modern highway signage/lining.

ACT 2.1.7
Through activities such as ‘Spirit of Place’, develop a standardised non-technical description of the DVMWHS. From this description, a series of messages, including taglines and themes, will be developed. This will enable the story and OUV of the DVMWHS to be communicated simply and effectively to the widest possible range of audiences.

ACT 3.1.3
Support the refinement and delivery of the Arkwright Society’s Masterplan for the Cromford Mills site.

ACT 3.4.1
Support John Smedley Ltd in the production of a masterplan, ensuring its continued and enhanced contribution as an appropriately interpreted attraction in a cohesive DVMWHS.

ACT 3.5.1
Support the production of an options appraisal to investigate ways to maximize income and DVMWHS engagement potential at the sites (High Peak Junction and Leawood Pumphouse)to support their financial sustainability.

The Bear Pit, Cromford

Gatehouse, Darley Abbey Mills