Intu has received outline consent to create a multi-million-pound leisure development at intu Lakeside in Thurrock.
The development will include new leisure and restaurant uses over two levels. At the heart of the development, public spaces will link the existing shopping centre with Alexandra Lake. They will include a covered street, a family square, a town square and a waterfront area including a boardwalk and park adjacent to the lake.
Intu is currently in discussions with potential tenants for ten-pin bowling, family restaurants, a health and fitness centre, a night club, a comedy venue and a hotel.
Construction could start in 2015, which would mean that the leisure development could open in 2017.
The leisure proposals build on existing plans for a £180m expansion of the centre’s retail offer that would bring 30-40 new stores.
Julie Pears, director of development at intu, said: “After such overwhelming public support for our plans, we are delighted to have received planning consent to invest in the centre’s leisure facilities, which will attract more people, from a wider area, and give them a reason to stay at the centre for longer.”
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
