Login to UKBP
Commercial Property News
Treasury gives EMDA £172 million to completely cleanup former Coking Works site in Chesterfield
East Midlands Development Agency and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have announced that work will start on site in August at the former Avenue Coking Works, one of the most contaminated sites in Europe.
The move follows Treasury confirmation of £172.3 million for the Avenue project, including full remediation of the 98ha site in Wingerworth, near Chesterfield.
The finance ensures the clean-up operation can now start in earnest and work can begin towards The Avenue’s long-term vision, including the creation of high-quality public space, employment opportunities and potential land for new homes.
There has already been some activity on site, with the draining down and demolition of the chemical plant and trials to test the technology required to treat the contaminated soil. An 18ha area has also been remediated to help preserve wildlife habitats that have developed on the land.
East Midlands Development Agency executive director of regeneration Diana Gilhespy said described the Avenue as a "major capital scheme which will stimulate the regional economy during these difficult times."
The Avenue is the largest and most complex single project in the HCA-funded National Coalfields Programme.
The site is owned and managed by East Midlands Development Agency, which is responsible for delivering the remediation through contractor VSD Avenue, a consortium of UK and European companies with skills in specialist contaminated land remediation techniques.
Regional director for the HCA in the East Midlands, Margaret Allen, said: "Avenue represents one of most significant remediation projects in the UK and one that the HCA has been committed to for many years through the National Coalfields Programme. The confirmation of funding from HM Treasury is very welcome today.
"It marks the start of a major regeneration initiative which will in time provide usable public space, employment and homes for North East Derbyshire and beyond. That we can finally get underway is a testament to the commitment and hard work of all partners to deliver high quality, sustainable regeneration."
The clean-up is expected to take four years and will see the site transformed into a mixed-use housing and commercial property development with a nature reserve and recreational facilities. A flood relief scheme will also be incorporated into the development to help protect the wider Chesterfield area from the risk of flooding from the River Rother.
The move follows Treasury confirmation of £172.3 million for the Avenue project, including full remediation of the 98ha site in Wingerworth, near Chesterfield.
The finance ensures the clean-up operation can now start in earnest and work can begin towards The Avenue’s long-term vision, including the creation of high-quality public space, employment opportunities and potential land for new homes.
There has already been some activity on site, with the draining down and demolition of the chemical plant and trials to test the technology required to treat the contaminated soil. An 18ha area has also been remediated to help preserve wildlife habitats that have developed on the land.
East Midlands Development Agency executive director of regeneration Diana Gilhespy said described the Avenue as a "major capital scheme which will stimulate the regional economy during these difficult times."
The Avenue is the largest and most complex single project in the HCA-funded National Coalfields Programme.
The site is owned and managed by East Midlands Development Agency, which is responsible for delivering the remediation through contractor VSD Avenue, a consortium of UK and European companies with skills in specialist contaminated land remediation techniques.
Regional director for the HCA in the East Midlands, Margaret Allen, said: "Avenue represents one of most significant remediation projects in the UK and one that the HCA has been committed to for many years through the National Coalfields Programme. The confirmation of funding from HM Treasury is very welcome today.
"It marks the start of a major regeneration initiative which will in time provide usable public space, employment and homes for North East Derbyshire and beyond. That we can finally get underway is a testament to the commitment and hard work of all partners to deliver high quality, sustainable regeneration."
The clean-up is expected to take four years and will see the site transformed into a mixed-use housing and commercial property development with a nature reserve and recreational facilities. A flood relief scheme will also be incorporated into the development to help protect the wider Chesterfield area from the risk of flooding from the River Rother.
Tue, 30th Jun 2009