Robertson Construction has been appointed to build a new £9.8 million care home and library in Belper, Derbyshire.

The facility will be built on the former Thornton's factory site and will replace the Ada Belfield Home for Older People. Work on Derwent Street is expected to start in April.

Features will include a new library and pedestrian link to town centre shops. As the development sits within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the facade of the Castle blouse and hosiery factory, as well as the Empire Music Hall, are both being retained to form the new library so the original architecture can be enjoyed by residents and visitors.

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The scheme is being taken forward as more than £850,000 is needed for maintaining and refurbishing the existing building. Works are expected to be completed by summer 2019.

Cllr Jean Wharmby, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, said: "I am delighted that work will now start on this development.

"The quality of care offered by the dedicated team at Ada Belfield was never in doubt but the building itself does not meet standards provided in other council-run homes and care centres and the cost for maintenance and refurbishment would be around £850,000.

"This new state-of-the-art building will be a great addition to the town and, by retaining some parts of the old factory frontage, it means it will also retain some of the town's heritage."

(LM/MH)