Connected to
strategic infrastructure.

Transport & Highways

Strategic Context

The site lies within ITCR9, which safeguards improvements to M1 Junction 30 and associated highway infrastructure. This designation confirms policy support for infrastructure-led development and acknowledges existing and future capacity pressures at this location.

Trip generation would be associated with both EV charging activity and associated roadside facilities; however, the location adjacent to the strategic road network and ITCR9 improvements means that movements would predominantly be pass-by or pass-through trips rather than new local traffic.

Access & Highway Feasibility

• Existing access already established, of generous width.
• Visibility splays in excess of approximately 170m.
• Controlled traffic environment in proximity to the junction.
• Pass-over/crossover facility in the immediate area enabling return movements.
• Existing internal track/road surface is poor and would require upgrade to commercial standards.
• Adjacent and opposite established commercial accesses.

There are no apparent in-principle highways constraints associated with forming access to the site. The key highways requirement is expected to be the upgrade of the existing access and internal approach to a standard appropriate for the proposed intensity of use, including surfacing, radii, drainage and construction specification, together with proportionate junction mitigation if required following initial capacity review.

Electricity — Distribution & Transmission Context

The site falls within National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands) territory, adjacent to the boundary with Northern Powergrid. While detailed network information is commercially and security sensitive and can only be confirmed through formal enquiry, the site lies within the Midlands demand area benefiting from significant regional grid reinforcement, including projects associated with The Great Grid Upgrade at both Chesterfield and High Marnham.

Available electricity infrastructure information identifies an existing underground 33kV cable within the main carriageway serving the wider junction area, together with an 11kV underground distribution cable running in close proximity to the site, associated with existing buildings and historic electrical demand.

An electricity infrastructure plan has been reviewed to inform this assessment. The plan indicates established high-voltage and distribution-level infrastructure within the local highway corridor and adjacent land, including jointing points and associated plant. This information is indicative only and does not confirm available capacity or point of connection.

Although no transmission corridor passes directly through the site, regional transmission projects are designed to release capacity across the network rather than provide site-specific connections. At this stage there is no evidence of any in-principle electrical constraint that would preclude large-scale EV charging and associated roadside commercial uses. A formal connection application would be required at the appropriate stage to confirm technical requirements, reinforcement needs and costings.

Digital Connectivity

A 5G telecommunications mast is located on the opposite side of the carriageway, demonstrating the availability of modern digital infrastructure. In addition, the site lies in close proximity, albeit on the opposite side of the motorway, to an established industrial and commercial park, reinforcing the infrastructure-led context of the location.

Existing EV Provision & Commercial Context

Small-scale EV charging facilities, typically 2–3 bays, already exist within Barlborough, associated with roadside food and beverage uses including Costa, McDonald's and Harvester. These installations demonstrate established local EV demand, planning acceptability in principle and compatibility with roadside commercial uses.

However, these facilities are limited in scale and do not meet strategic motorway, fleet, HGV or long-distance charging demand. The proposed development would address this gap through a purpose-designed, large-scale facility.