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.

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 £22 milliom 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.

(CD/GK)