Procurement of a master developer partner for the delivery of the Smedley's Hydro Project.
The Council is seeking to procure a Development Partner for the redevelopment of County Hall and the associated grounds, prior to the Council's occupation known as Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment.
The project proposes the conversion of the c.16,750sqm listed South Block of the current Matlock County Hall into a flagship hotel, with events, and potential conference and leisure facilities.
The project also includes delivery of a new cost effective, flexible office building, along with a refurbished space in the Co-op Building on Smedley Street for the Council to occupy in order to retain a presence on site.
The project will be further supported by delivery of new build enabling residential development and the provision of co-working space for local businesses, alongside other supporting and complementary uses.
Applications for outline planning and listed building consents envisage delivery of up to 100 hotel beds, up to 5,000sqm new civic office building, up to 95 new homes, plus workspace and events/leisure space.
The project aims to deliver major economic impact on the town of Matlock and beyond, secure the ongoing presence for the Council, restoration and maximising the value of heritage assets, and a significant boost to the local tourism and visitor economy.
The Council is seeking to appoint a single Development Partner with responsibility for the delivery of the whole project. That partner may deliver all aspects of the project directly or introduce sub-developers and sub-contractors to deliver some parts, though retaining overall strategic oversight of the whole.
It should be noted that the 'total value (estimated)' stated below in this notice is the estimated construction value of the site including the development of the co-working space which will be retained by the Council.
Derbyshire County CouncilEast Midlands26 May 2026WAC-590626