THE �27 million contract to design and build a regional distribution centre for Tesco on the site of the former Berkshire Brewery in Whitley has been awarded to Vinci Construction UK.

The 904,000 square foot complex, which will include a state of the art vehicle maintenance unit, a vehicle wash and refuelling depot. will have ultra green credentials.

The building work being carried out by Vinci's Retail and Interiors Division will be completed to BREEAM standards and will emit 34% less CO2 than the levels imposed by the 2010 building regulations.

Chris Pape, managing director of Vinci's building division for the midlands, south west, wales and retail, said: "We are absolutely delighted to continue our excellent relationship with Tesco Stores Ltd on this project.

"It is particularly pleasing to be working on a project that, once completed, will provide in excess of 1,000 employment opportunities to the local area."

Earlier this week Worton Grange Industrial Limited announced "exciting" new proposals to buiild 300 homes, with 10,000 square feet of retail space, including a supermarket, on the nearby former Hewlett Packard site in Whitley.