Shopping centre owner Intu has received planning consent for its £100m plan to redevelop Watford town centre and refurbish its existing shopping centre.

Under the scheme, Intu Watford will be refurbished and integrated with the neighbouring Charter Place shopping centre to create 1.4 million sq ft of retail and leisure properties.

The £100m proposals will bring a new cinema to Watford town centre and create a public square which will host street theatre and music shows.

Construction is expected to start during 2015 and the development will open in 2017.

The scheme’s senior asset manager Charlie Griffiths said: “The £100m investment across both shopping centres in Watford will completely transform the town’s position in the UK retail rankings, placing it firmly in the top 20.

“The redevelopment will create the very best destination in North London to shop high quality brands and spend leisure time. Our plan is to bring more customers, from further, for longer.”

The proposed development will create around 1,125 additional new jobs across the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.