NEWS > Work complete at East Midlands colliery site
Published: Tuesday, 28 Sep, 2010
Work is now complete on a multi million pound project to transform a disused colliery site near Bolsover in Derbyshire in the English East Midlands and bring it back into beneficial use for the local community. At Pleasley Colliery, investment from
Work is now complete on a multi million pound project to transform a disused colliery site near Bolsover in Derbyshire in the English East Midlands and bring it back into beneficial use for the local community. At Pleasley Colliery, investment from East Midlands Development Agency (emda) via the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA's) National Coalfields Programme has cleaned up the industrial dereliction left over from the closure and demolition of the Colliery in the 1980s, and created a landscaped gateway entrance to the Pleasley Pit Country Park. It has also enabled the restoration of an ancient monument that marks the glory days of the mining era. The site will now be handed to the Land Trust to take over its long term stewardship and future development.
Commenting on the project on 22 September 2010, Diana Gilhespy, Executive Director of Regeneration at emda, said: "It's fantastic news that work at Pleasley has now been completed. The scheme has combined a wonderful monument to honour the former mining community with space for top quality business and housing facilities. This will bring real economic opportunities to people living and working in the area."
Margaret Allen, Director for the HCA East Midlands, commented: "The project has brought a former dilapidated site back into use for the community, and provided a valuable asset that pays respect to the mining heritage, as well as adding to the long term sustainability of the site."
The Pleasley remediation project has spanned several phases over the past few years. The initial phase involved the remediation of the land and development work on the site, including landscaping and construction of a car parking facility. Phase two focused on the conservation of the site's key features, including the remaining colliery engine houses and the iconic head gears, along with other Grade II listed structures. The work was carried out by contractors Robert Woodhead Ltd under the supervision of architects William Saunders.
The Pleasley Pit Trust has also been working alongside the project partners to assist with the temporary site management and engine restoration works since 1997. Speaking on their behalf, Bob Metcalfe said: "The long period of conservation works is now almost complete and the changes to the buildings and site are quite unbelievable. We would like to take this opportunity to thank emda for their help and support over the last thirteen years, and particularly for facilitating and funding the conservation works. There is still much to be done, but we now have a strong base from which to go forward with the Land Trust."
The Land Trust will be given funding for the long term management of the site. As Euan Hall, Chief Executive at the Land Trust, explained: "The Trust is a community led organisation. We protect the investment made in restoring sites like Pleasley and ensure that they can provide long term benefit to the community. Thanks to emda and HCA funding, we will be able to provide support to the Pit Trust for the management of this valuable site for many future generations."
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