£22m regeneration scheme starts

09/02/2010

Work on a multi-million pound regeneration scheme which is set to transform a former North East Derbyshire mining town and create hundreds of new jobs has officially started.

© Marisa Cashill

A new Tesco superstore, retail units, bus station and link road are to be created in Clay Cross as part of the first phase of the £22m New Bridge Street regeneration scheme.

Work to remove more than 100,000 cubic metres of spoil - which has stood in the town centre for many years - is now underway and is expected to take three to four months to complete, with the Tesco store due to open in February 2011.

The project is being led by developers, GMI Property Company in partnership with North East Derbyshire District Council and Clay Cross Parish Council, and with £9.2m of funding coming from East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Cllr Peter Riggott, NEDDC's Member Champion for the regeneration of Clay Cross, said: "It's fantastic to see work starting on site - this is a hugely exciting time and the beginning of a new era for Clay Cross."

The second phase of the scheme, which will create a new health centre and retail units, is due to begin later this year.

Peter Gilman, Chairman of the GMI Group of companies, added: "The whole team at GMI Property Company is delighted to see the diggers in action on the spoil tip - the planning that has gone into this project has been immense and this week marks the beginning of a new Clay Cross.

"I grew up not far from Clay Cross, so the regeneration of the town centre means a lot to me both personally and professionally. With the commencement on site this week, GMI Property Group has started to deliver the transformation of New Bridge Street and Clay Cross as a whole."

Diana Gilhespy,emda's Executive Director of Regeneration, added: "It's great news that work is ongoing to regenerate Clay Cross.

"Our investment is helping to breathe new life into this former mining town so that people in the area can enjoy new employment opportunities, an improved environment and better local facilities. This scheme is a great example of what can be achieved when a range of organisations work together to achieve the vision of a flourishing region." 

Margaret Allen, Regional Director for the HCA East Midlands, said: "We're pleased to support this excellent project, which will significantly boost the town's retail offer and help to attract more business into Clay Cross.

"Our skills arm of the HCA is also working closely with the council in maximising the knock-on effect for the town."

Over 450 new jobs will be created when Tesco opens its store - more than half of which have been secured for local people as part of an innovative partnership.

North East Derbyshire District Council is working alongside Tesco and other partners to create up to 250 opportunities for local unemployed people, as the Clay Cross store is set to become one of only three 'Regeneration Partnerships' being launched by Tesco in the country this year.
 
For the latest news and updates about the regeneration of Clay Cross, visit the website atwww.claycross2020.org.uk

ENDS

Media enquiries: contact Mandy Atkinson on (01246) 217692 or Chris Taylor on (01246) 217823.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Caption:(© Marisa Cashill) Cllr Graham Baxter, Leader of NEDDC, Cllr Peter Riggott, NEDDC's Member Champion for the regeneration scheme, Cllr David Nuttall, former NEDDC Leader and Clay Cross member - who led the original launch of the Clay Cross regeneration project - Ian Dutton Communications Manager for HCA East Midlands, Diana Gilhespy,emda's Executive Director of Regeneration and Peter Gilman, Chairman of the GMI Group of companies.

1. The New Bridge Street regeneration scheme is part of the wider regeneration of Clay Cross - directed by North East Derbyshire District Council's Clay Cross Regeneration Framework.

2. The Framework is designed to make sure current developments fit together and complement future projects - view the document online atwww.claycross2020.org.uk/framework

3. For more information about the Working Communities project visit the website at
www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/workingcommunities

4. East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development. Ten years on, independent evaluation showsemdahas:

 Had a significant impact on the region's economy
 Generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs
 Put back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends
 Produced more than £1 billion in economic benefits per year
 A wider impact on people, places and businesses in the East Midlands that cannot be captured by figures alone.

emdais committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times.

Over the long term,emda's aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations. The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and sets out key priorities until 2020 to ensure the vision for 'a flourishing region' can be achieved.  For more details visitwww.emda.org.uk