BLUEPRINTS for a major £10million redevelopment of Clacton Factory Outlet – including a multiplex cinema and restaurants – have been given the green light.

Kames Capital, which owns the shopping centre, has been given the go-ahead to demolish almost half of the existing shop units – many of which are empty – to make way for extra car parking.

It also has outline planning permission for three new restaurants, a drive-through restaurant and a new retail unit on the current car park site.

Kames planning agent Alun Evans said the proposals were “absolutely necessary” to kick-start the regeneration of the site and would help maintain existing jobs.

Tendring Council planning boss Carlo Guglielmi said: “This could potentially give a huge amount of employment, but we must also be mindful of the effect it could have on future development of Waterglade Retail Park, which is the preferred option.”

Tuesday’s planning committee meeting heard fears that the new six-screen cinema could threaten the future of Clacton’s Century Cinema, which is owned by the Picturedrome Electric Theatre Company.

But Bockings Elm councillor Siggy Challinor said: “It will continue to have the great support they get from our town centre dwellers.”

The six-screen cinema will be run by Reel Cinemas, which operates 15 venues across the country.

A Home Bargains store will open in a new 18,500sqft unit next to Marks and Spencer .

For the full story, see Thursday's Clacton Gazette