The former boss of Thorntons chocolates has won planning permission to build a £6 million waterside complex on the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Ex-Thorntons chief executive John Thornton has got approval for the mixed-use scheme at his Mercia Marina site – described as the UK’s largest inland marina – at Willington, between Burton and Derby.
South Derbyshire District Council has approved plans for the glass, stone and timber Promenade building which will have 14 apartments above seven ground floor retail units.
Mr Thornton thanked the council’s “foresight” in recognising what he said would be the scheme’s £11.9 million estimated benefit to the local economy over 10 years and the 43 new jobs it would create.
He expects construction to start in around 12 months. It follows the completion of two similar developments on the 77-acre site over the past decade – the Boardwalk and Piazza – which he said have won national awards for architecture.
The Promenade will replace three existing buildings, one of which was originally a timber fishing hut before the marina opened 15 years ago and is now a tea room which will relocate to the new building.
Once construction begins, the building – designed by Repton-based architects Bi Design – is expected to take about 18 months to complete.
Mr Thornton said: “We are delighted this iconic new building has received planning approval from South Derbyshire District Council.
“We very much hope and believe that the Promenade, which is in keeping with the style of the existing Piazza and Boardwalk buildings, will, when built, become a heritage asset complementing the Canal Conservation Area.
“It has been a slow and difficult process. But it is thanks to the foresight, support and leadership of South Derbyshire District Council, which realises that the region’s economic, employment and cultural welfare depend upon the encouragement of private investment, that the project has been approved.
“When the economy strengthens, inflation recedes and confidence returns, we look forward to bringing the project to fruition.”
He said Mercia Marina has grown from a former fishing lake in a gravel pit to becoming one of the leading leisure and tourism businesses in the East Midlands, attracting around 800,000 visitors annually.
The marina supports more than 300 jobs directly, and many more indirectly. An Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted with the latest planning application estimates that the site contributes £18.8 million per year towards the local economy (including £9.1 million to the visitor economy), with the Promenade set to add a further £11.9 million over the next 10 years.
It also said a lack of investment would result in declining visitor numbers.
Mercia Marina has moorings for more than 600 narrowboats as well as housing dozens of holiday lodges.
