Welcome

This page provides information on the Electric Forecourt® in Markham Vale.

GRIDSERVE Markham Vale

GRIDSERVE Sustainable Energy Ltd. plan to build and operate an Electric Forecourt® in Markham Vale. It’s located to the west of Enterprise way, opposite the existing Markham Vale Services at Duckmanton, Chesterfield, S44 5FD. Planning agreed and being finalised, construction due to start later this year, with opening targeted for the second half of 2024.

The proposal will provide a new world-class facility for medium and high power electric vehicle charging, powered by 100% renewable energy. It will help the UK’s transition to electric vehicles, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. It will also create new jobs and put Markham Vale and the wider Chesterfield area on the map for new green technologies.

Help to electrify
your local area

We have submitted a planning application to Chesterfield Borough Council. Community members can learn about the proposed project on this page.

Who is GRIDSERVE

GRIDSERVE is a UK based developer of low cost, clean energy solutions with roots that started with some of the world’s first commercial deployments of solar energy and energy storage solutions over 40-years ago. The GRIDSERVE team has been responsible for the development, construction, and operation of more than a gigawatt of solar energy and energy storage solutions, including connecting over 100 utility-scale sustainable energy projects to the UK grid in the last five years alone. With this project, we intend to continue our tech-enabled ‘sun to wheel’ infrastructure to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.

The Site
The site of the proposed Electric Forecourt® is located between Enterprise Way and the eastern side of Duckmanton, it’s to be built on unused and overgrown land. Access into the site will be from Enterprise Way, opposite existing retail facilities in Markham Vale.

The site is currently empty and our proposal will include extensive new areas of landscaping and tree planting. An area to the south east would be used for battery storage. The site of the proposed Electric Forecourt® is 1.28 hectares (3.16 acres), the battery storage is located along the northern boundary of the site.

The Proposed Electric Forecourt®

GRIDSERVE has carefully considered the feasibility of an Electric Forecourt® on the site and carried out a detailed site analysis. This analysis has considered environmental and planning designations, proximity to major roads and residential areas, existing screening, topography, the grid connection point, capacity in the local electricity grid and availability of electric vehicle charging facilities in the local area.

An Electric Forecourt® is the new generation of filling station designed to meet the demands of the electric vehicle market. The concept was conceived through extensive research into the limitations and frustrations with existing charging infrastructure and with 30 high power and rapid charging points, it will future-proof Markham Vale and Chesterfield for the transition to green transport.

View the first GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt® in Braintree, Essex.

Community Benefits

The Chesterfield Borough currently has approximately 17 electric vehicle rapid charging points in four locations which will not meet both current and forecasted demand for electric vehicle drivers.

The Markham Vale Electric Forecourt® will provide 30 new high power and rapid charging points making a significant contribution to local electric vehicle infrastructure and support passing traffic on the M1.

It will be a clean and green development that aligns with Local and National support for electrifying transportation to reduce carbon emissions.

  • Potential to charge up to 30 vehicles at high speed simultaneously.
  • A scheme that will enable people to transition to electric mobility and contribute to improvements to local air quality.
  • The use of 100% renewable energy to help with the transition to a net zero carbon economy.
  • On-site renewable electricity generation to power the amenities building.
  • A pedestrian friendly, relaxing dwell time environment to ensure customers can make best use of their charging time.
  • The development would create 25+ full time equivalent employment opportunities through the design, engineering, construction and operation phases.

Features of an Electric Forecourt®

Electric Forecourts® support the transition to electric vehicles and future-proof communities to meet the UK’s net zero carbon goals.

The electric vehicle charging spaces will focus on the fastest vehicle charging capability with charging provision for different vehicle types, including charging provision for contracted fleet vehicles and future allocation for HGV. GRIDSERVE medium and high power charging solutions will address the needs of mass market electric vehicle drivers as the UK moves to ban the sale of new fossil-fuel powered vehicles from 2030.

The Markham Vale site includes a pedestrian friendly environment with external walking routes and a covered walkway that connects charging spaces to the second floor of the building. Within the hub building, the forecourt will be supported by a range of ancillary facilities, designed to maximise the experience of charging and optimise the use of the associated dwell time.

  • Food and beverage, including convenience retail and small-scale coffee shop.
  • Toilet facilities and wellbeing area.
  • Free high-speed Wi-Fi and meeting pods.
  • An electric vehicle education service.
  • A children’s play area. 

Key Development Principles

  • A modular design that is scalable and can largely be constructed off-site.
  • Ease of access from the highway network.
  • Sensitive landscape design and
    additional native tree planting.
  • Minimal land take through an efficient use of the site.
  • A green, clean and high-quality customer environment with ancillary facilities and services.
  • Use of permeable surfaces wherever possible.

“Beyond the generation and supply of 100% renewable energy, habitat creation is a crucial part of all GRIDSERVE development projects. We are proud to both expand the sustainable energy supply chain to decarbonise transport and simultaneously address biodiversity challenges at each new proposed site.”
- Raoul Tuffnell, Chief Development Officer at GRIDSERVE.

Transport
The Electric Forecourt® will not be a significant trip generator. There will therefore be limited impact on local traffic levels. A Transport Assessment formed part of the planning application. This evaluated the capacity at local junctions, including off flow from the M1 and concluded that the site will have no material impact on the operation of the highway network.

Ecology
Ecology surveys have been undertaken to assess the ecological value of the site and solutions such as new landscaping and a living green wall will improve the biodiversity on-site. We will take community feedback into account and aim to deliver further biodiversity support to the wider Chesterfield area by liaising with the local Wildlife Trust.

Biodiversity and tree planting initiatives are an important consideration in all GRIDSERVE development projects. As such, the site will be supplied by net zero carbon energy from solar farms and achieving further net biodiversity gains is an ongoing focus.

Flood Risk

The site is situated predominately in ‘Flood Zone 1’ which is an area of land with the least probability of flooding. A Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy has been submitted as part of the planning application.

Noise

A Noise Impact Assessment has been prepared and submitted with the planning application. The assessment demonstrates that any noise from the development will not be heard beyond the immediate local area, and that impacts on area are negligible, given the existing background noise levels.