Over the last 18 months we’ve looked at how our existing buildings can be used to their full potential, following our move to more hybrid working practices, which has led to the buildings becoming underused. We need to find better, more viable uses for our buildings in the future.
County Hall started life as Smedley's Hydro, and for many years hosted people who visited Matlock to take the waters and take part in a range of treatments. We're hoping that much of this history will be brought back to life with our plans for the complex.
Our plans to restore and repurpose the historic buildings will deliver a range of new uses, which will support our local businesses and open up the buildings more for the benefit of the community and the local economy.
We have now submitted our plans to Derbyshire Dales District Council, as they will make the decisions needed for us to move this project forwards. You will be able to comment on the plans, which should be on the district council’s website shortly.
We also held some community engagement events recently. Answers to the questions that were asked at these events are as follows.
Responses to themes raised at consultations about the future use of County Hall in March 2025
What happens next?
We have submitted a suite of planning applications to Derbyshire Dales District Council, the local planning authority. They will review the plans to make sure they comply with planning policy, including the technical information we have submitted on transport, sustainability and design before making a decision.
We hope to have a decision later this year and, subject to the plans being approved, we would look to start construction in the second half of 2026 once we have selected a development partner.
How can I stay involved and give my feedback
Derbyshire Dales District Council will consult local residents, to give them the opportunity to comment on the plans, before making a decision.
We will also continue to engage with the community during this period to make sure we’re answering your questions and providing information on the plans. You can stay updated here, or email: smedleyshydro@derbyshire.gov.uk with any questions.
Do we have a hotel operator in place or a development partner?
Not yet. This is the next step after planning but in the meantime, we continue to talk to potential hotel operators and development partners about the proposals.
There’s a current shortage of hotel provision in the Matlock area and the opportunity to restore this beautiful building to a hotel is a fantastic prospect for hotel operators and developers.
Will the plans impact council services?
No. The transformation of County Hall will alleviate the pressure on our spending in the long term. In the short term, while the project is delivered, we are vacating the North Block and consolidating operations into the South Block where we will continue to provide local services. This move is delivering immediate financial savings.
Is the project even needed with the changes coming to local government?
Local authorities will always be responsible for delivering a wide range of essential services for their residents, just as they do currently. No matter what the future governance structure looks like, the people overseeing and delivering those services will need fit for purpose places to work from, including in Matlock, where our historic links to the town are recognised and valued.
The project provides a perfectly timed opportunity to respond positively to the reform plans as they develop. The creation of a new, flexible, low carbon and affordable office building as an integral component of the Smedley’s Hydro project will ensure that key roles for the council in the town are well supported irrespective of the structure of local government across the county.
How much is this all going to cost?
The precise cost to restore and convert the listed buildings is entirely dependent upon the nature and scale of the development, which will be clearer once the plans have been approved.
The proposals to transform the South Block into a hotel and venue will be funded entirely by the private sector. The overall capital investment from the private sector is likely to exceed £100 million.
Is the council funding the project and will the cost be passed on to local residents?
Our private sector development partner will bear the cost of converting the listed buildings, providing new homes, and delivering offices for us with new business space.
It has been estimated that the cost for us to occupy the new, smaller offices on site will result in substantial savings to both running costs and major capital expenditure on repairs.
Will the homes be affordable to local people?
We're committed to exploring all potential avenues to help ensure that the number of affordable homes is optimised as much as possible.
The approach towards delivering affordable housing within the scheme will be discussed and agreed with Derbyshire Dales District Council during its determination of the applications.
Will the proposals result in increased parking on the surrounding streets by users of the site?
Car parking numbers for all uses on site have been calculated using existing parking standards and guidelines.
Parking for the hotel and housing will be provided within designated areas on site. Parking for the council will be within additional designated areas on site and town centre car parks. The proposed e-shuttle linking the site and the town centre, coupled with the use of parking permits, will result in a much greater use of town centre car parks.
A Travel Plan will also be developed to reduce significantly the number of our staff using their cars to travel to and from the office.
Are you intending to close Smedley Street to cars permanently?
There are no plans to close Smedley Street to cars, but we do want to look at ways to make it more user friendly for pedestrians and cyclists without interrupting the flow of traffic. This includes public realm improvements, traffic calming techniques and smart traffic management systems.
We want to support our local businesses and community and therefore there may be opportunities to have managed, planned closures of Smedley Street on particular days of the year to promote local events and festivals, and by doing so, encourage activity to support the local economy.
When will the hotel open and how big will it be?
The hotel should be completed and open to visitors from 2030.
At this stage the number of rooms is yet to be determined as this will, in part, depend on the partner we bring on board and their requirements.
How will you limit disruption to local businesses and residents during construction?
All construction will be carefully managed to limit any potential impact on businesses and residents and we will continue to engage with them throughout this period.
We'll agree a Construction Management Plan and Construction Traffic Management Plan with Derbyshire Dales District Council before any work starts on site. These plans will agree measures to minimise impact during the construction periods.
Will the development increase the risk of flooding in the area?
The proposals consider flood risk and take account of the cumulative impact of other developments coming forward.
As part of the statutory planning application requirements, detailed analysis and drainage proposals will be developed to prevent any risk of flooding, including sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) which are designed to manage surface water and reduce flood risk.
The development is also an opportunity to upgrade site wide drainage and improve drainage resilience.
Will the proposals affect neighbours amenity?
The site benefits from mature trees and improved planting. This will screen much of the activity and buildings will act as a barrier, protecting neighbouring amenity.
Proposals will include upgrades to the existing Smedley landscape, with improvement works to the existing pathway network, restoration and improvement to the community orchard, better quality lighting and amenity planting.
Local residents will be encouraged to use and benefit from these important amenity improvement works.