Derbyshire County Council previously committed to a contribution of £100,000 to match funding towards the project, which aims to regenerate Heanor town centre, but it has since changed from Labour to Conservative control.

At a meeting of Amber Valley Borough Council on Monday, June 29, support was given to making the project the highest priority for growth funding in the borough from 2009 to 2011, and the first phase will begin shortly.

But councillors warned the project still needs the backing of the county council to succeed.

Cllr Paul Jones, a former mayor of Heanor and Loscoe and representative for the town on Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "I welcome this moving forward but it does concern me that, prior to changing control of Derbyshire County Council, there was a commitment to significant investment in the town from the county council.

"I would hope that members with influence now up in Matlock ensure that this continues.

"It is important that the other players sign up to this commitment. We need a financial commitment from Derbyshire County Council."

Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council Cllr Stuart Bradford, who is also a recently elected member of Derbyshire County Council, said: "I am sure all in the chamber will welcome this initiative and see that this strategy is starting to become a reality.

"I have had meetings with the new cabinet members to get their commitment and I do not see that that will be a problem."