South Derbyshire District Council has granted planning permission for a £20m Hepworth Retail and Leisure Park in Swadlincote near the City of Derby.

The proposals for the 3.6 hectare former pipe works involve the regeneration of the brownfield site with a mixed-use development comprising of 9,738sqm of non-food retail uses in four separate blocks and a 3,297sqm leisure element including a multiplex cinema and food and drink outlets as well as 36 new homes.

It is being developed by Rokeby Developments in partnership with Peveril Securities.

Adrian Goodall, Rokeby developments director, said: “The scheme will be a major boost for Swadlincote and swell the town’s attractions for shoppers. We hope we have addressed the concerns of local traders by improving our linkages with the town centre.

“We currently have a total of 250,000 sq ft of retail developments on-site at present and remain confident about the retail market despite prevailing market conditions. The retail sector is still interested when it comes to good quality accommodation, in the right location, at the right rental levels.”