Plans are moving forward for a new £270 leisure complex in Swindon.

Developer SevenCapital secured full planning permission for the first phase of the North Star Village scheme, which will deliver circa 500,000 sq ft of retail, dining and leisure, including one of the UK's largest ski and snow centres.

The complex will also feature a 3-screen cinema, including Europe's largest IMAX screen, along with a 19-lane bowling alley and a 27,000 sq ft trampolining area.

The developer has already confirmed 50% of pre lets for the space, including The Snow Centre, Empire Cinemas, Hollywood Bowl and top mountain sports retailer Ellis Brigham.

Ian Brown, managing director for The Snow Centre, said: "We are delighted to be able to open a second real snow indoor slope and look forward to building on the success we've seen at our existing centre in Hemel Hempstead. A few opportunities for new ski facilities have presented themselves over the last few years, but for various reasons have not progressed beyond ideas. Swindon is a great location and we are thrilled that SevenCapital have been able to make this a reality."

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John Watkins, director at SevenCapital commented: "We're thrilled with the decision to grant full planning approval for the North Star Village. Since taking on the project in July 2017 the team has worked tirelessly to deliver on our promises to submit plans for an exciting regional leisure and retail destination that Swindon and the wider UK will benefit from significantly.

"We have delivered on all our planning promises and are now looking forward to getting on site and bringing those plans to life."

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, added: "This ski slope has been a vision for Swindon for over six years and we are now in the home straight. There has been a tremendous amount of effort going on behind the scenes to resolve the outstanding problems and we are now in a strong position to move forward.

"Last week, SevenCapital announced they had secured the money needed to build the North Star leisure complex and the Planning Committee was the final hurdle. 

"Every resident will be praying that SevenCapital start construction as soon as possible because the pressure is now really on to deliver visible progress."

SevenCapital expects to be on site in May 2019, with the project estimated to be completed in just under two years.

(CM/MH)