PROPERTY Irish golf hotel complex snapped up by KWE Te plan will be carried out over a 20-year period


Headingley bids to ensure international cricket future


Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) has unveiled plans for a 20-year, £50m expansion of Headingley to safeguard the ground’s status as an international venue. Te project, drawn up between the club,


Leeds City Council, Leeds Rugby and DLA Architecture, will see the ground’s capac- ity increased from 17,090 to 20,362 and consist of six phases. Once complete, the stadium will feature a new progressive pavilion, as well as a shared stand with the adjoining Leeds rugby ground. Other new features include new flood-


lights, roofing and landscaping. Te ground is guaranteed to host international cricket until 2019, with hopes to extend this. Details: http://lei.sr?a=s9U7n


Rushden Lakes leisure development gets approval


Controversial plans for a £50m leisure and retail development in Northampton have been approved by minister Eric Pickles. The developer of the Rushden Lakes


project, LXB Properties, has been waiting for months for a decision on the devel- opment, which is to be built at the Skew Bridge brown field site. Plans for the proj- ect, designed by HPW Architects, include the creation of a hotel, waterfront restau- rants, plus a boathouse and leisure club. In October 2012, East Northamptonshire


councillors voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the develop- ment, though they faced stiff opposition from Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre as well as a consortium of Corby, Kettering and Northampton councils. Under planning rules, the project was


referred to the Secretary of State, who called for a review at a public inquiry. Following the inquiry, the official


confirmation came from Pickles’ office giving the green light for the project. Those who opposed the decision have said they will accept it and move forward to ensure the development is a success. Details: http://lei.sr?a=M8b9h


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The Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links resort in Ireland has been sold to Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate for £24m – less than half the price it was bought for in 2005. Capel Developments


forked out £56m for the four-star complex in the mid- noughties, but as the Irish financial crisis took its toll on the ailing company, Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) swooped to appoint Simon Coyle of Mazars as receiver in 2011. Te latest sale of the 170-


Te boasts stunning coastal views and also has conference facilities


acre site was overseen by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), with its vice pres- ident Dan O’Connor describing a “highly competitive sales process, which underpins the strength and depth of buyer demand currently


prevailing within the Irish hotel investment market.” Te seafront hotel boasts a course designed by golfer Bernhard Langer, plus 138 bedrooms. Details: http://lei.sr?a=t8H7u


Sheffield Council eyes leisure quarter


Sheffield may soon become home to a new leisure and retail quarter capable of rivalling the nearby cities of Manchester and Nottingham, after Sheffield Council announced plans to take a troubled shopping develop- ment into its own hands. Te council now plans to


spend £55m purchasing a number of remaining proper- ties between Pinstone Street, Moorhead and Barkers Pool in the centre of the city. Some of the buildings in


Te development could help win back business lost to nearby cities


the area had already been purchased by developer Hammerson – which had planned a project known as the Sevenstone shopping scheme – though it failed to mate- rialise because of lengthy delays, with the council ending ties with the business last year. However, the council now plans to inject new life into the area with a revised New


Retail Quarter project that could cost up to £300m to develop, while also creating 2,500 jobs in the process. A number of developers have already shown an interest in the scheme, which would be developed on a block-by block basis, as opposed to original proposals. Details: http://lei.sr?a=h3q4M


Richard III Visitor Centre gets late July opening date


Leicester’s £4m Richard III visitor centre has been given an official opening date of 26 July. Ahead of the big day, developers are con-


verting a former Victorian school into an education facility, recounting the life and times of the king, whose remains were discovered


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


last year, right next to the new centre, under a council car park. Designs by Architects Maber and Studio MB also include a new courtyard garden, glass entrance hall, viewing balcony, cafe and visitor entry from Peacock Lane. Details: http://lei.sr?a=n2R9q


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2014


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