NE Derbyshire District Council would like to emphasise that the Clay Cross town centre regeneration scheme is about bringing jobs and prosperity to the town and surrounding area.

It is envisaged that the £22m project will create more than 400 new jobs as well as attracting additional trade into Clay Cross.

The regeneration scheme has been drawn up in consultation with residents and businesses. Two of the key priorities identified by the research were the need to strengthen the shopping facilities available in Clay Cross and secondly to improve access into and through the town.

In order to carry out the regeneration scheme it will be necessary to completely re-model part of the existing town centre, which will mean demolishing some properties to make way for the new retail development and A61 link road.

The council has been in discussion for several years with properties affected by the Compulsory Purchase Order and hopes to reach an agreement with all those involved. The council, in partnership with the developers GMI Rovinian, has organised a public meeting to discuss the regeneration scheme and give everyone an opportunity to comment on the proposals.

The scheme has also been regularly discussed at meetings of the Neighbour-hood Partnership/Community Partnership in Clay Cross.

Together with the developers GMI Rovinian, we will try and find alternative sites for those businesses that wish to relocate – subject to availability and permissions.

The council tried to ensure that those property owners and occupiers affected by the CPO were notified as soon as possible once the CPO had been published. For legal reasons, the ccuncil was unable to issue any official statement until 10 January — the day the statutory notice appeared in the Derbyshire Times.

To complement the town centre regeneration scheme, the council is now working with a team of consultants to look at ways of enhancing the environment in the remaining town centre such as introducing new landscaping and seating areas.

As well as the town centre redevelopment the council is also working towards the wider regeneration Clay Cross. It is working with partners to prepare a masterplan for the comprehensive regeneration of the area.

The council is also offering business support to traders through a business advisor available at our Coney Green Business Centre in Clay Cross.

The council firmly believes that the future prosperity of the whole of Clay Cross will be greatly improved by this town centre regeneration scheme. We appreciate the work will involve some disruption for residents, businesses and visitors. However, it is our view that the long term benefits will be significant both to Clay Cross and the surrounding area.

Cllr Graham Baxter,

Leader,

North East Derbyshire District Council.