Regeneration agency New East Manchester (NEM) has confirmed the start of preparatory work at a 17-acre (6.9-hectare) site next to the City of Manchester stadium in Eastlands.

Buckingham Group Contracting has been chosen to carry out the £8m scheme, which includes land that had been earmarked for the regional casino development. Work is scheduled to take seven months to complete and will comprise the capping of disused mine shafts from the old Bradford colliery and is designed to make the site ready for future development.

Manchester City Council (MCC), the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Northwest European Regional Development Fund are funding the project. NEM chief executive Eddie Smith said: "When the right developer is found we want to be in a position to be ready to move quickly and deliver a scheme that will make Eastlands a leading international leisure and sporting destination.

"Not only do we want to create a scheme that will attract significant visitors to East Manchester and bring economic benefits to the whole North West region, but we also remain committed to creating employment opportunities for local people." The scheme will complement other developments at the Eastlands site, which include the development of the new National Indoor BMX Centre and the City of Manchester Stadium.

Image: The City of Manchester Stadium at Eastlands