Bolsover - North East Derbyshire Leader Programme

The Bolsover North East Derbyshire LEADER area is situated in north eastern Derbyshire. Key influences on the area are the Peak District to the west, Sheffield City Region to the north, Sherwood Forest to the east, Nottingham and Derby to the south, and the M1 Corridor. The area combines market towns with a range of villages, some of the chocolate box variety, others with an industrial heritage.

The area was greatly affected in the 1980s and 90s by the closure of the coal mines and the rundown of manufacturing industry, and the legacy is still apparent today with Brownfield sites in need of reclamation, low skill levels, low level of enterprise, pockets of deprivation, and housing in need of renovation. However, there is a real opportunity in the early part of the 21st century to develop a new future for the area building on:

The extensive natural and built resources, and the attractive landscape as a basis to encourage new tourism business growth
The growing links with the city conurbation's to attract custom and create greater urban – rural linkages in terms of the economy and cultural development
Links with the Peak District and Sherwood Forest to encourage the dispersal of tourism activities from these areas.

LEADER Local Action Group (LAG)

A new partnership has been established to deliver a LEADER approach for the area; it brings together a wide range of interests including land-based, business, tourism, heritage and local authorities.

The LEADER approach seeks, through close and positive partnership working, to support the rural communities throughout the area to respond to some of the many development challenges that are still facing them.

The key challenges facing the LEADER Local Action Group are:

To raise the profile of the area as being an attractive area for residents, businesses and visitors
To develop enterprises based on the area’s environmental and heritage resources and opportunities
To nurture enterprise and raise skill levels of residents
To raise the aspirations of residents, particularly in the most disadvantaged communities.

Further details about the Bolsover and North East Derbyshire LEADER Programme can be found in the Local Development Strategy which can be downloaded below. Please note that this is currently being reviewed.

Background to the Bolsover- North East Derbyshire LEADER Approach