Retail Property - Westfield gets go-ahead for Nottingham extension

Australian shopping centre operator Westfield Holdings' campaign to break into the UK development market has received a boost with Nottingham City Council's decision to grant outline planning consent for its£400 million redevelopment of the Broadmarsh Centre in Nottingham.

The Broadmarsh Centre is owned in a joint venture between Westfield with a 75 per cent stake and Hermes with 25 per cent.

As project manager Westfield had applied to extend and redevelop the existing centre, adding a new department store anchor and more than 230 shops and restaurants. On completion, the Broadmarsh Centre will have nearly trebled from 42,000 sq m to more than 115,000 sq m.

Westfield managing director Steven Lowy said: 'We are very pleased with our progress in the UK, where we have operated for just over two years and have now received our second major outline planning consent. This approval follows the receipt of full planning permission in July for the£200 million redevelopment at Derby.'

Because of its size, the Broadmarsh application will be referred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, but it will go with a recommendation from Nottingham City Council's Planning Committee that permission be granted.