Q: What projects make up the Town Deal?
A: The Clay Cross Town Deal currently consists of 5 projects: Clay Cross Active (CCA) community hub bringing modernised leisure and community facilities in place of the now-demolished Sharley Park Leisure Centre; Clay Cross Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) conduction various research and consultations to create a roadmap for Clay Cross to reach net zero carbon by 2050; Low Carbon Challenge Fund (LCCF) helps to fund businesses and developers with their low carbon investments, bringing Clay Cross closer to LAEP's target of net zero carbon; Rail Station Feasibility determined viable options for reintroducing rail connections through Clay Cross; Town Centre Regeneration brings the new Baileys Square to Clay Cross in addition to over a dozen flexible business units and pedestrian/ vehicle flow changes for a smoother journey around town.
Q: Why did the Town Deal take so long to start work on projects?
A: Work has been ongoing since Day One, largely just in the form of talks and paperwork until the last few years. After the Government agreed to fund Clay Cross as part of DLUHC's Towns Fund programme, there were many behind-the-scenes stages, with bigger projects requiring more planning, meetings, decisions and approvals. This also includes a continuous back-and-forth conversation with Government to agree and secure each phase of funding. Rest assured, the amount of planning and deliberation that has gone into Clay Cross Town Deal over the years is to ensure that the final outcomes are of the best value to Clay Cross, its businesses, and its residents.
Q: When will Clay Cross Town Deal be complete?
A: Several projects, like the Rail Feasibility study, have already been completed but the overall Clay Cross Town Deal will be finished by March 2026, in line with the end of the Government's Towns Fund programme.
Q: Is the pricing of the Baileys Square flexible business units fixed? I'm unsure whether my business can afford one.
A: The units have been given approximate pricing that is competitive for the spaces provided but, no, the prices are not fixed. They are negotiable and interested parties can discuss pricing with our
Q: When will construction finish?
A: For the community hub, Clay Cross Active, construction will end towards the end of 2024, ahead of opening in winter. For the Baileys Square site, construction will finalise and business units will open summer 2025.
Q: Who are working on the construction?
A: ISG are contractors appointed for developing Clay Cross Active, whilst Inside Limited are the contractors carrying out the various town centre works, involving the creation of the new square and the pedestrianisation of Market Street.
More questions and answers to follow soon.