Residents can now have their say after detailed plans for the proposed Bennerley Country Park were formally submitted to Erewash Borough Council – revealing for the first time exactly how the new green space would work alongside the neighbouring employment development.
The application, submitted by Harworth Group under reference PA/2026/0039, seeks full planning permission for a 24.37-hectare (around 60-acre) country park on land west of Awsworth and north of Ilkeston.
Unlike the separate employment park application, which is an outline proposal, this is a full planning application, meaning detailed plans have now been published showing exactly what is proposed.
The application is also a cross-boundary proposal, being considered by both Erewash Borough Council and Broxtowe Borough Council.
It means residents can now read the plans and submit comments before Erewash Borough Council decides whether permission should be granted.
Ilkeston News has previously reported extensively on the proposed Bennerley employment development. The newly published country park documents provide the clearest picture yet of how the two schemes are intended to work together.
Six key things we’ve learned from the plans
1. The country park is closely linked to the employment development
One of the biggest revelations from the planning documents is just how closely the country park is tied to the proposed employment park.
The Planning Statement confirms the country park application has been submitted alongside the outline application for up to 130,000 square metres (around 1.4 million square feet) of employment space on neighbouring land.
A covering letter submitted to Erewash Borough Council goes further, describing the country park as “a key policy requirement” that would be delivered alongside the wider employment development.
That is likely to answer one of the biggest questions many residents have been asking since the employment proposals first emerged.
2. Visitors would access the park through the proposed employment site
The Transport Statement confirms that the main vehicle access to the country park would be through the proposed employment development immediately to the east, rather than directly from the public highway.
The documents also indicate a new car park could accommodate around 70 vehicles, although the detailed layout would be agreed later if permission is granted.
New shared walking and cycling routes would connect the park with Shilo Way, existing public rights of way and the wider footpath network.
For many readers, this is likely to become one of the most closely scrutinised aspects of the proposals.
3. This is much more than simply leaving the land as open space
The detailed landscape plans show an actively designed country park rather than unmanaged green space.
The proposals include:
- Bennerley Meadows with species-rich grassland and seating overlooking the viaduct.
- An Open Mosaic area celebrating the site’s industrial heritage.
- New Erewash Wetlands with raised boardwalks.
- New woodland, meadow and wetland planting.
- A proposed 5km Parkrun route.
- Outdoor fitness equipment and trim trails.
- Benches and picnic areas.
- New walking and cycling routes.
- Wildlife scrapes and ponds.
- Interpretation boards explaining the area’s industrial and environmental history.
Illustrative images submitted with the application show landscaped public spaces beneath Bennerley Viaduct, together with elevated boardwalks through wetland habitats.
4. The application claims significant biodiversity improvements
Among the technical documents is a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, which states the scheme would exceed the Government’s mandatory requirement for biodiversity improvements.
The submitted figures indicate the completed country park would deliver:
- 216.87 habitat units
- 15.72 watercourse units
The documents state this exceeds the minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain requirement, leaving surplus biodiversity units that could potentially be allocated to future developments through the Government’s Biodiversity Gain Site Register.
5. Flooding has been considered within the design
Because the site lies alongside the River Erewash, parts of the proposed country park fall within Flood Zones 2 and 3.
The submitted Flood Risk Assessment concludes that a country park is considered an appropriate “water-compatible” use and says the proposals would not significantly alter ground levels or increase hard surfacing.
The assessment also notes that detailed design work would still be required for proposed bridges, boardwalks and new water features.
6. Harworth has asked Erewash to progress the application
A covering letter submitted in June asks Erewash Borough Council to progress the application “as a matter of urgency”, noting that Broxtowe Borough Council is targeting a determination later this summer.
The letter states the country park forms part of the wider strategic employment proposals and requests that both planning authorities progress the applications on similar timescales.
What happens next?
The application is now available to view on Erewash Borough Council’s planning portal under reference PA/2026/0039.
Residents can read the submitted plans, technical reports and supporting documents before submitting comments to the council.
It is important to note that this application has not been approved. Erewash Borough Council will consider comments from residents, consultees and statutory bodies before making a decision.
Ilkeston News will continue examining both the country park application and the wider employment development proposals as they progress through the planning process.