Residents will lose out if £5m plan is refused

A proposed £5 million leisure investment could be axed in case it clashes with planned town centre development.

Fieldfare, which owns Aspects recreation area and cinema site on Newnham Avenue, Bedford, has put in an application to Bedford Borough Council to spend millions improving the site.

The refurbishment, which could start straight away, would include demolishing the existing Zap Zone area and rebuilding it to accommodate four new cinemas with a first floor link to the existing six-screen facility.

This would be given an extensive facelift as would the neighbouring restaurants, many of which are currently vacant.

The development would also include substantial planting to improve the look of the area and proved popular with local residents at a recent display held by Fieldfare.

However, it is due for discussion at next week's meeting of the development control committee where officers have recommended the application for refusal.

And if the application is turned down it will be a double whammy for Bedford's council taxpayers.

The borough council actually owns the Aspects site and, under the terms of Fieldfare's long lease, receives 20 per cent from the rental of each of the units.

While many of them remain vacant the income is reduced.

At the same time, if - contrary to the recommendations of local representatives - the application is refused, it is likely to go to appeal which, depending on the outcome, could cost a substantial amount.

Paul Gale, of Fieldfare's parent company Fordgate, said: "I am very cynical and disappointed about this recommendation as I feel the council is missing out on a great window of opportunity to improve a tired dated scheme with the cinema being the 'driver' with which to achieve this.

"They should not underestimate the implications of this as a refusal will only mean further deterioration, possibly a cinema closure on Bedford's only leisure park with the town centre scheme at least five to ten years away." Cllr John Mingay, who represents Newnham Ward, said: "They want to tidy this area up which is welcomed by all the local people I have spoken to as it has become quite run down looking.

"Refusal will be a double blow for the people of Bedford, they will lose out on a good scheme and will also possibly have to pay out for the appeal." A borough council spokesman says: "The council, in determining this application, will only take into consideration matters relevant to planning.

"The proposal has been tested against national and local planning policies, which encourages the location of such facilities to town centres."