Rushden Lakes leisure development given approval by UK Secretary of State Eric Pickles
Controversial plans to build a £50m ($85m, €63m) leisure and retail development in Northampton have been approved by Secretary of State Eric Pickles.
The developer of the Rushden Lakes project, LXB Properties, has been waiting for months for a decision on the development, which is to be built at the Skew Bridge brown field site.
Plans for the project, consulted on by HPW Architects, include the creation of a hotel, waterfront restaurants, a boathouse and leisure club, plus a lakeside visitors’ centre.
In October 2012, East Northamptonshire councillors voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the development, though they faced stiff opposition from Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre and a consortium of Corby, Kettering and Northampton councils.
Under planning rules, the project was referred to the Secretary of State, who called for the decision to be reviewed at a public inquiry.
Following the inquiry, the official confirmation of the decision read: “The Inspector recommended that planning permission should be granted subject to conditions. For the reasons given [in the report], the Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector’s recommendations.”
The decision to approve the development, subject to conditions, has been met with excitement from East Northamptonshire Council, with Cllr Steven North stating: “This is great news for East Northamptonshire as it will provide local people with a better retail offer on their doorstep as well as new jobs and a regenerated site that has become a blot on the landscape.
“The leisure opportunities will add to the Nene Valley project that encourages people to make the most of the river and help to give better access through a footbridge and cycle way across the A45.”
However, some of those who opposed the plans have claimed the project could potentially have a negative impact on the local area, but have also pledged to accept the decision and move forward.
“The Rushden Lakes development has the potential to damage towns around the county but we accept this decision and are ready to move forward,” said Cllr David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council.
This has not been the first time those at a senior governmental level have had to step in to rule over the progression of leisure developments, with the recently opened Centre Parcs Woburn Forest only winning planning permission following government intervention.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen