Eric Pickles has given the green light to Wilson Bowden and Ashcroft’s redevelopment of Hinckley town centre in Leicestershire.
The secretary of state for communities and local government gave the go-ahead to the 260,000 sq ft scheme which includes a 110,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s, a five-screen Cineworld cinema and 24 shops and restaurants.
The two developers have formed a joint venture called Tin Hat Regeneration Partnership to redevelop the Hinckley bus station site.
Following Pickles’ approval, Tin Hat can now acquire all the land needed for the scheme and it is hoped construction will begin later this year and be completed by the end of 2014.
Hinckley and Bosworth council leader Stuart Bray said: “This is fantastic news for the town and means we shall soon start to see things happening.”
Tin Hat director Tony Baker added: “While there are a number of steps to be completed before work starts on site, we are now able to move forward with confidence knowing that the entire site can be delivered.”
Strutt & Parker and Cushman & Wakefield have been appointed joint letting agents.
nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
