The Environment Secretary’s decision not to call in the planning application for a 21,367 sq m (230,000 sq ft) retail and leisure scheme in Wednesfield, West Midlands, means work is likely to start in June.
The application, by Black Country Properties and Lanham, for the 8.5ha (21 acre) edge-of-town centre site, had been referred to the DOE as a departure from the UDP. Black Country Development Corporation is expected to issue formal planning permission for the scheme – to be known as Bentley Bridge Park – in the next few weeks.
Chesterton’s Tim Baker says the leisure element should be open in Summer 1997 and the retail element in Autumn 1997. There will be parking for 1,500 cars.
The first phase includes a 3,251sq m (35,000sq ft) Mecca Bingo, and the section of the Wednesfield Way funded by the developers. Wolverhampton Council has started its section of the 6.4km (four mile) road which will put the site within 10 minutes of Junction 10 of the M6.
Lanham’s Simon Berry, says Cine UK will operate the 4,087sq m (44,000sq ft) multiplex cinema with 800 car parking spaces. The balance of the 9,290sq m (100,000sq ft) leisure element will comprise four restaurants (of which two will be drive-through), a pub let to Tom Cobbeigh, and a 2,787sq m (30,000sq ft) family entertainment centre.
