Planning approval secured for Peak UK ’s new kayaking HQ
Planning & Design Practice Ltd is pleased to announce that Peak UK Kayaking Co Ltd has been granted planning permission by Derbyshire Dales District Council to redevelop the former Cromford Garden Centre into a new headquarters, community hub, and activity base called Carrwood Mill. This development will enhance opportunities for children to engage in kayaking while supporting local heritage and sustainability initiatives.
Located adjacent to the Cromford Canal, the site will also accommodate PaddlePeak, Peak UK Kayaking’s charitable organisation, which promotes youth participation in kayaking and coordinates environmental conservation efforts along the River Derwent.
For over 30 years, Peak UK has been at the forefront of kayaking apparel and equipment manufacturing, supplying elite athletes, including Olympians. As demand for its products has grown, the company has sought to expand its operations, selecting the former Cromford Garden Centre as an ideal location for its next development phase.
This initiative will reintroduce textile manufacturing to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, aligning with the region’s industrial heritage. The site, which had remained vacant and overgrown for over a decade, will be revitalised, contributing to the local economy and environmental sustainability.
Given the site’s brownfield status within a World Heritage Site, careful planning and heritage considerations were essential. With extensive experience in heritage-related projects, James Boon Architects led the architectural design. In collaboration with Planning & Design Practice, comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessments followed ICOMOS guidelines to ensure the proposal respected the location’s historical and environmental sensitivities.
The design, which was presented at a public consultation at Cromford Mills in August, received positive feedback. It incorporates sustainable materials such as local stone and wooden cladding, along with low-energy lighting and air-source heat pumps, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.
This development will enhance local infrastructure and create 12 new jobs. The high-quality facility will contribute to the site’s long-term environmental sustainability while fostering community engagement through kayaking activities and conservation initiatives.
We are delighted to have been involved in this significant project and look forward to seeing Carrwood Mill’s positive impact on the local area.
