The Environment Secretary has given planning permission for the development of a leisure park at the junction of the A13 and the A406 at Beckton, East London. National Amusements intends building a 14-screen multiplex cinema, bowling alley and two fast food restaurants at the former McPhersons Paint Factory site, Jenkins Lane, Barking.
The decision over-rides an objection by Barking and Dagenham Borough Council which argued that the leisure park would threaten the survival of the Odeon in Barking and consequently the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre.
Geoffrey Searle, the Planning Solicitor who acted for National Amusements said: “While there is little doubt that the identification of the Beckton Gateway as of strategic importance in kick-starting the regeneration of this part of the Thames Gateway played a significant part in this decision against full compliance with emerging national planning guidance, nevertheless multiplex operators and developers will wish to study the implications of this decision closely for lessons to be drawn for other proposals for multiplex-led leisure parks.”
This is the first decision by the Secretary for this kind of development on an out-of-town site since the publication of PPG13 and the consultation draft of PPG6 which expressed concerns about the potential impact of out-of-town multiplex cinemas on town centres.
EGi News 21/05/96
