WORK on the proposed £200 million redevelopment of Basingstoke’s leisure park is a step closer to getting underway.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillors made the decision during a scrutiny committee meeting to back the cabinet’s proposal to work with NewRiver Retail to develop the new leisure and retail park.

The proposal aims to double the size of the current facilities, which would include a complete rebuild of the aquadrome and a 300,000 sq ft designer outlet centre.

Before any work begins the council needs to enter into a formal agreement with NewRiver Retail, so the company can invest in the work and detailed studies are needed to put together a planning application.

Cabinet member for finance , service delivery and improvement councillor Robert Tate said: “This is a great opportunity to create something excellent for the borough and its residents, and at no cost to the council.

“This project is taking a significant step forward and I look forward to increasingly positive engagement with NewRiver Retail as the scheme develops and to hearing what local people think of the proposals.”

However, some councillors are disappointed by the move to create an outlet retail park, which would compete with the town centre.

Leader of the Basingstoke Labour Party, councillor Paul Harvey said he is concerned that the retail side of the redevelopment would have an adverse impact on small businesses in the town centre.

He said: “I am 100 per cent behind the redevelopment of the leisure facilities, but this designer outlet will damage our town centre.

"We need to protect the small businesses in our town, but the Conservatives have just got their heads in the sand when it comes to working with NewRiver."

Property director of NewRiver Retail Allan Lockhart said: “The scheme has the potential to delive r substantial benefits for the council, local businesses and residents – almost £200 million of construction investment, over £500 million of economic activity and the creation of an estimated 2,400 jobs.”

The council will be encouraging residents to give their views on the scheme as extensive community involvement will be part of which will shape the submission for any planning application.

What do you think about the proposals for the leisure park? let us know by contacting us at newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk