First sales completed at huge new Matlock Spa housing development

When complete Matlock Spa will comprise 494 new two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments and house homes across five distinctive spa villages, allowing for a population of 2,000 people – ten per cent of the population of Matlock.

First to be sold was a £465,000 penthouse in the first Gateway Spa phase of the development.

The vast majority of the scheme received the backing of locals and councillors in 2018 after nearly two decades of work on the project.

However, the lack of affordable housing and the building of five-and-a-half homes on greenfield land did prompt some objections at the time.

Mary Gharmount, senior associate and solicitor in Nelsons’ commercial property team, 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. 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.

"It will no doubt generate a rivalry to those living in other spa towns of Bath and Buxton.”

Alongside the residential aspect, Matlock Spa will also boast a new country park and embrace the ‘healthy town’ model, promoting fit and active lifestyles while simultaneously protecting local ecology and heritage.

Charles Rifkind, founder of Rifkind Associates, 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.”

Mary added: “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.”

Matlock-based Wildgoose Construction are the project’s contractors.