IT IS full steam ahead for plans for the £300 million redevelopment of the Basingstoke Leisure Park after a court appeal was overruled.

As previously reported in the Gazette Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council had one a high court ruling brought against them by AEW Europe LLP – who operate Festival Place – on grounds that borough council had taken ineffective legal steps in agreeing terms with NewRiver REIT Plc regarding the outlet side of the proposed redevelopment.

After the high court found in favour of the borough council AEW announced it was set to appeal the decision.

However, the court of appeal has dismissed this meaning the borough council and NewRiver have restarted plans for the redevelopment.

As a result of the ruling, NewRiver will be restarting work on developing detailed plans for the new Leisure Park and plan to carry out further community consultation events in spring 2020.

Jamie Whitfield, development director at NewRiver, said: “Our community events in October 2018 demonstrated that the overall support for our early stage proposals was positive, with the vast majority of visitors recognising Basingstoke Leisure Park is in need of investment and upgrade.

“The people of Basingstoke place great value on having a range of exciting leisure experiences on their doorstep, and we are pleased that we are now able to resume work on our proposals.”

He added: “We are looking forward to continuing to work with the local community as plans evolve for the site.

“In the coming months we will be speaking to community interest groups and existing leisure park users and hope to return to the community following this to share the next round of worked-up plans.”

The proposal will see NewRiver transform the existing Leisure Park in a new leisure activities centre, doubling the size of the existing leisure facilities.

This includes greatly expanded park will operate alongside a new 200,000 sq ft designer outlet village, creating an exciting new leisure destination.

Cabinet member for regeneration and property at the borough council, Councillor John Izett said: “I am pleased NewRiver is now in a position to restart work on the design of this important regeneration project following the unsuccessful legal challenge which has resulted in a 12 month delay to the project.

“The redevelopment of the leisure park is important for the future of our borough and to meet our objective to provide residents with high quality leisure attractions and create a destination of choice for the south of England. This includes a brand new Aquadrome at no cost to the council."