The town of Chapel-en-le-Frith was founded in 1225 by foresters in the Royal Forest of the Peak, who were given permission by the Earl of Derby to build a chapel in the forest (a chapel-en-le-frith). Chapel grew as an inportant staging post in the the 16-17th century when much of its historic core was built, and expanded as the Ferodo brake lining company (now Federal Mogul) was founded in the town in 1897 by Herbert Frood, who developed a revolutionary new braking material in his garden shed.
Today, the town of Chapel-en-le-Frith is a small rural town of approx 6500 people with a historic core (Old Town Trail), and a wide range of independent shops and services, including award winning cafes and restaurants, supermarkets, and visitor accommodation.
The Parish Council (External website**) have established a regeneration working group that will lead on smaller scale regeneration and town centre, environmental and public realm issues.
The three Councils (Derbyshire County Council, High Peak Borough Council and Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council) meet twice a year to review challenges, opportunities and progress on agreed larger scale strategic projects if applicable.
A series of public meetings in March 2011 were held in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Combs, Sparrowpit and Dove Holes by the Parish Council which enabled over 200 local residents to give their ideas on things they like and dislike about our community, things that they do want to see developed and those that they don't. Chapel Vision, is an independent group of residents that is taking forward these issues which were mainly focused on: Housing; Transport; Local services and facilities and The countryside. Chapel Vision has establised Working Groups on all of these issues and aims to deliver a Community Plan by 2012.
If you’d like to get involved, or have some suggestions, or just want to be kept informed, please contact chapelvision@gmail.com or write to Chapel Vision, c/o Town Hall, Market Street, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK23 0HP.
Chapel-en-le-Frith regeneration partnership was first established as a steering group in 1990 jointly by High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council in partnership with Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council to look at ways in which the three councils could work more proactively to support the town centre.
The regeneration partnership and its partners aim was to support and regenerate the town as "a thriving, prosperous, safe and attractive market town with jobs, homes and facilities for all". Partners have responded to surveys of residents in 1989, 1996, and 2001 to develop action plans and deliver key projects including:
If you have a bright idea to improve the appearance of Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Centre or to support the retention of local employment please use this form to tell us. Details of your idea will be passed to Parish Council and Regeneration Managers for review and feedback.
Suggestions for improvements to the local environment or smaller scale ideas can also be made to the Parish Council on Tel: 01298 813320; Email: clerk@chapel-en-le-frithparishcouncil.gov.uk. Office Hours: 9.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Monday to Friday or sent to Chapel Vision above.
Suggestions for larger scale strategic projects and for other issues relating to the economic regeneration of Chapel-en-le-Frith including business start-up or expansion, please contact High Peak Borough Council's Economic Development team on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400 or email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk.
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.