NewRiver REIT to re­develop Basingstoke, UK leisure park from 2023

NewRiver announced last week that it has been appointed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council as its nominated developer to bring forward the risk­controlled redevelopment of a 66-acre leisure park in a prominent location in Basingstoke in close proximity to junction 6 of the M3 motorway. 

Capitalising on the growing popularity of integrated leisure and retail, NewRiver’s proposals currently comprise approximately 500,000 sq ft of leisure and approximately 200,000 sq ft of designer outlet shopping. The company is confident that this unique combination of leisure and designer outlet shopping will appeal to the local community and a catchment significantly beyond Basingstoke in one of the UK’s most affluent regions. This opportunity will be progressed in line with NewRiver’s risk­ controlled development approach and stated financial policies.

To facilitate this very exciting development, the Council and NewRiver have entered into a long­term development agreement which is conditional on achieving planning consent and pre­lets as well as a viability assessment. In the event that the development agreement becomes unconditional, the Council will grant NewRiver a 250 year leasehold interest.

Outline plans for the leisure facilities include the introduction of exciting new leisure experiences for families and the wider community with a cinema, popular family restaurants and hotel. Plans also include a modern aquatic leisure centre with gym, to be operated by the Council, and a designer outlet village which will focus on designer brands at affordable prices and complement the existing town centre retail offer.

The project is estimated to generate over 2,000 jobs and set to create an outstanding leisure and designer­outlet shopping destination of choice for the south of England, contributing to the long­term vision of Basingstoke as a leading town in the region. The Council is presently working towards the delivery of 15,000 new homes for the borough by 2029.

Customary for a development of this size, early concepts and designs will be subject to a programme of extensive community engagement and on­site works could begin from 2023, subject to planning consent.

“We are delighted to have signed the development agreement with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, one of the UK’s most forward­thinking and commercially astute councils, to deliver a first of its kind leisure and retail destination of national appeal“, commented Allan Lockhart, Property Director. Capitalising on the emerging trend of integrated leisure and retail, this exciting
development is yet another example of NewRiver identifying an opportunity to create value from a site that offers significant unrealised potential through the creation of a truly unique leisure and retail destination.”

Source: Property Magazine International