State-of-the-art plans for a £50million retail and leisure development designed by architects, Marchini Curran Associates (MCa), are to be considered by councillors.
The proposals would see an extra 180,000 sq ft of shops and leisure facilities created. As part of the project, retail space would grow by 50% with units for 20 new stores and there would also be a new supermarket, cinema and library.
If given the go-ahead, the development will take place at Mulberry Place in Daventry town centre in Northamptonshire.
Andrew Bull, a project director at Nottingham-based MCa, said: “This is a tremendously ambitious and exciting scheme. The plans have been developed to make the centre much more appealing and more accessible so that footfall will be increased significantly.”
“There have been several rounds of consultation which have helped to shape the plans. The feedback has been used to inform our work, for example retaining key features on the site such as the Lime Tree and North Street.
“The plans will create a modern centre which is sympathetic to the historic environment. The new development will bring life back into the heart of the conservation area.
“We are delighted that the plans have now been submitted and, if approved, they are sure to revitalise the town centre.”
The work would be carried out by developer Henry Boot development partner to Daventry District Council.
Work should start in early 2014 with a series of target completion dates for each development within the scheme as a whole.
The new library would be due for completion in January, 2015, the work on the cinema, restaurants and shops would be from then until January, 2016. The supermarket and the rest of the site would be earmarked for completion in 2018.
The new, state-of-the-art library would also house a registry office, ceremonies room and an outside amphitheatre.
MCa’s plans show how the scheme would provide a shopping environment which complements the existing High Street and boosts the town’s retail offering.
Large stores would be set against smaller specialist shops and interspersed with street cafes and restaurants. The development has been carefully designed by MCa so that it is in keeping with the surrounding buildings.
The new supermarket would be located to the north of the main Mulberry Place site.
It is believed that with the planned multiplex cinema several national chain cafes and restaurants will follow.
