£120m Flemingate retail scheme in Beverley to go ahead

The proposed £120m development will include a cinema, shops, hotel and a new college campus

Plans for a £120m retail development in Beverley will go ahead after the scheme received government approval.

The Flemingate scheme will include a cinema, shops, hotel and a new campus for the East Riding College.

The local council approved the scheme in July and the government announced it would not call in the application, removing the last barrier to the development.

Building work is expected to start in 2013.

The 16-acre site is derelict and was formerly occupied by a chemical factory and an army transport museum.

Councillor Stephen Parnaby, Conservative leader of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "This is a landmark decision for Beverley and gives the green light to a major project that will regenerate an important part of the town close to the Minster.

"The proposals have been through a comprehensive planning and consultation process and I believe there is widespread support for a development that is set to strengthen our already vibrant and successful market town."

Developer Wykeland Group welcomed the news and said the council could now "effectively rubber-stamp its original decision in July to approve our application", but added there were "still one or two matters to be resolved".