Construction work on a new McDonald's restaurant and Marston's pub in Dereham is expected to start early summer, developers have confirmed.

Eastern Daily Press: The former Cemex site which is being cleared for a new McDonalds in Dereham. Picture: Ian BurtThe former Cemex site which is being cleared for a new McDonalds in Dereham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant © 2014)

Over the past few weeks demolition has been completed with all the buildings on the former Cemex site on Yaxham Road, removed and the site cleared.

Nicki Murphy, office manager for Dereham-based developers SCWS, said they were currently putting in all the infrastructure to support the new businesses.

'We are laying pipes and getting all the electrics ready for the site and expect building work to start in early summer,' she said.

'Once we have completed the infrastructure we will hand over responsibility to McDonald's and Marston's and it is up to them to complete the build. The weather is against us at the moment because it is very wet and it really needs to be dry to progress.'

The site also has planning permission for a 51-bed hotel but Mrs Murphy said as yet there was still no-one interested in taking on this aspect of the development.

'It is an option but no-one has come forward to take over the hotel so at the moment we are not developing that side,' she said.

A spokesman for McDonald's said there was still no timetable for the work. He said: 'We are working with the council and landowner to progress plans, A new drive-thru restaurant will create more than 65 jobs, both full and part-time, and will provide significant investment for the town.'

A Marston's spokesperson said: 'Developers are currently carrying out enabling work and we hope to be on site in the spring.'

Planning permission for the site was granted in July last year.