The Clay Cross redevelopment scheme triumphed in the regeneration category last night at the prestigious RICS Awards 2012 in the East Midlands region.
Located in North East Derbyshire, the small town of Clay Cross underwent a transformational change following the completion of phase one in the £30million New Bridge Street regeneration scheme. The complex project completed in January 2011, reclaimed approximately 20 acres of derelict land to rejuvenate it into a mixed use scheme incorporating retail, Dr’s Surgery and public space. Over 100,000 cubic metres of colliery spoil was removed from the site prior to development.
The scheme had been developed by GMI and North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) for over 20 years, with GMI Construction acting as the main contractor and Rex Procter and Partners as the employer’s agent and quantity surveyor, as part of the final project team. The HCA and its predecessor, English Partnerships and the East Midlands Development Agency provided over £9million of funding for this scheme.
Phase one comprised of a new Tesco eco store, two retail units, a town centre car park, extensive public realm, a new bus station, public toilets and a link road. This initial development work has acted as a catalyst for further growth and investment to the area, demonstrating the longer term renaissance of Clay Cross.
Deborah Doyle, Director at GMI Property Company said: “Having worked on Clay Cross for several years, it’s fantastic to see the efforts of the team rewarded after delivering such a significant and complex scheme. Having reversed the trend of large retail leakage and creating additional jobs to the area, the community benefits continue to be reaped particularly as construction work on phase 2 is now progressing.”
Clay Cross was among thirty four other projects that were shortlisted as finalists out of a total 477 national entrants, all competing for the coveted RICS prize that is widely recognised in the UK property industry. Representing a wide spectrum of projects, industry representatives gathered at the gala dinner on Thursday 19th April 2012 at the Belfry Hotel in Nottingham to applaud winners across the four categories: Building Conservation, Regeneration, Design and Innovation and Community Benefit.
As a winner in the regional heat, the Clay Cross project now forms part of the shortlist for the national grand final awards in London in October