Leisure developer THI has won planning consent for a major leisure scheme on 6ha (15 acres) next to Cheshire Oaks factory outlet centre.
In a controversial move Ellesmere Port & Neston Council last night approved the application for the 23,100 sq m (248,654 sq ft) development which includes a multiplex cinema, restaurants and nightclubs.
But in an attempt to force a public inquiry, two rival applications were submitted just before the Planning Committee met to discuss the THI proposal.
Peel Holdings subsidiary Ship Canal Properties has submitted an outline planning application for a 12,193 sq m (131,250 sq ft) leisure and retail development. The proposal includes a 24-screen multiplex in a £20m development and would lead to the regeneration of a vacant 7.3ha (18 acre) site next to junction 8 of the M53 motorway, near Ellesmere Port town centre. St Quintin is advising SCP on the planning issues and the investment.
A third application has been submitted by local landowner H H Robinson for a leisure and retail scheme on the site of a local steel factory. This is only one of the three that qualifies as a town centre location.
EGi News 20/02/97
