This is the first look at work which is taking place on the on a £15 million pound project to transform Dawley.

Members of the public were today given a first glimpse behind the hoardings at the 35-hectare Paddock Mound site which is being levelled to make way for the new Dawley Sports & Learning Community, hundreds of homes, and a 1,500 square metre supermarket.

Residents viewed the sprawling site from a raised vantage point inside the fenced area and got the chance to speak to developers directly about the project.

Graham Buckwell, who is the site manager for Birse Civils, said more than 50 workers had so far shifted 1.3 million tonnes of earth since last August in preparation for building works over the former coal mine.

He said: “In total we will have to move two-and-a-half million tonnes to make sure the ground is stable to build on.

“It has been a interesting job as the mound was an active coal and ironstone mine until the early 20th century.

“We have had to fill in around 30 mine shafts, some more than 200m deep,” he continued.

“It is a great site with some great views.

“You can see the Long Mynd on a good day,” he added.

“Things are so far going to schedule and we are on time to hand over to constructors Kier Moss later this year. They will build the facilities.”

The site will also incorporate a fitness centre, BMX track and smaller retail units. The work is due to be complete by autumn 2013.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s deputy leader Richard Overton, said: “This is a very major project and I have to say that the scale of the work going on is absolutely massive.

“It’s an impressive site and demonstrates what an ambitious project the construction of the new Sports and Learning Community will be.

“We felt it was too good an opportunity to miss to allow members of the public through the gates to view first hand the scale and depth of the work that is going on to prepare the site for construction.”