Significant step forward for major retail park

The next phases at a major Northamptonshire retail park have taken a significant step forward.LXB Retail Properties has confirmed that the review period associated with the revised planning consent for Rushden Lakes, which was issued on 11 September, has now expired with no objection.As a result, the enhanced planning consent which was approved by the planning committee of East Northamptonshire Council on 8 February has now been finalised.The news means that the revised agreement providing for The Crown Estate to fund the next two phases at Rushden Lakes is now unconditional.In total, The Crown Estate has committed to fund a further 215,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space to be delivered over three additional phases of development, this will bring the total size of Rushden Lakes to more than 445,000 sq ft.LXB is already on site with phases two and three and the anticipated practical completion date for the third phase is June 2018 and January 2019 for phase two.The group expects work to start on phase four in May 2018.The second phase will see the creation of a new leisure development, offering more than 150,000 sq ft of space, and comprised of 11 restaurants, five leisure units and a 14-screen cinema from Cineworld.In phases three and four, up to 130,000 sq ft of additional retail space will be added.Once all phases are completed, Rushden Lakes will be home to more than 40 retail units, 18 restaurants, five leisure providers, a 14-screen cinema, a boathouse and The Wildlife Trust visitor centre. Superdry and Magazine Heaven have recently signed deals to let space at the development.