PLANS to redevelop Basingstoke Leisure Park took a step forward after Basingstok e and Deane Borough Council entered into a development agreement for the site.

The borough council has agreed to work with NewRiver Retail on the £200 million project, which would modernise the current facilities and bring in a designer shopping outlet.

The decision to enter into the agreement was made at a recent cabinet meeting where leader of the council, Cllr Clive Sanders, said the redevelopment is “an ambitious project that this town deserves to have”.

If the proposed project is given the go ahead through planning, the new development would create 2,400 jobs for the borough.

The work would be at no cost to the borough council as NewRiver Retail would be paying for the ambitious project.

Cllr Sanders said: “To get £200 million in investment at no cost to the council is an opportunity that we have to grasp.

“However, we need to mak e sure the best interest of our residents are being protected at every stage to minimise the risks.”

Property director for NewRiver Retail, Allan Lockhart, said their plans are doubling the scope of the existing facilities and offering premium brands to the people of Basingstoke.

He said: “Our aim is to bring outstanding new leisure facilities to the borough and we have assembled an internationally renowned leisure-focused development team to deliver these.”

Labour councillor for Popley East, Cllr David Potter criticised the relationship between the cabinet and NewRiver.

“Everything is fitted around their aspiration and their business plan,” said Cllr Potter.

“It is my understanding that they are not experienced in this field, and should the NewRiver vision prove unviable, the whole project should not proceed.”