A NEW retail and leisure park in Newport could create 200 jobs if plans submitted to Isle of Wight Council are approved.

The plan to redevelop the Newport Football Club site on St George’s Way would also kick-start work to relocate Newport FC to a new state-of-the-art sports facility off the nearby Racecourse roundabout. Developers say this will secure the club’s future.

Submitted by the current football ground owners, South Coast Leisure, the plans for St George’s Way envisage a mixed development of the site with retail and leisure uses.

The development will be made up of five linked units housing occupants including a discount food retailer rumoured to be Aldi, 24-hour gym, DIY/garden centre outlet rumoured to be Wickes, drive-through restaurant and two other retail units as well as parking for nearly 300 cars. Details of potential occupiers are currently being kept confidential for commercial reasons.

A retail impact assessment has been submitted with the application which has concluded that the development will not have a 'significant adverse effect' on existing town centre retailers.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Subject to planning approval, it is hoped that work to relocate the football club could begin early next year. South Coast Leisure say they will work hard with the intention of ensuring the club is able to fulfil its fixtures while the new stadium is being constructed and hope house the club 'as soon as possible'.

Developers hope construction of the new retail park could begin next year and be open for business in 2020.

“This will bring a different retail offering to Newport giving customers a greater choice and more reasons to travel to Newport," said South Coast Leisure’s planning consultant Paul Airey.

“It will also help to maintain retail spend on the Island by increasing consumer choice.

“This is a site that has been ready for development for many years and we are delighted to be finally bringing forward a plan that will not only give customers a new retail offering but will also create a significant number of jobs for local people.

“It will also end years of uncertainty for Newport Football Club by providing them with a brand-new facility that will also provide a sporting and social amenity for the wider community.”

South Coast Leisure claim visitors to the development would be able to park free of charge for long enough to encourage them to walk into the nearby town centre.

Previous free parking offered at St George’s Park during prime retail periods has proved popular, they added.

The plans have already been shared with the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber chief executive Steven Holbrook said: “Creating 200 new jobs will make a significant contribution both to the Island’s existing economy and its wider regeneration aims.

“With the internet having such an impact on shops, this is an ideal opportunity to widen the choice of Newport’s appeal and encourage people to shop locally rather than online. This will be helped by the public being able to park at the new development and walk in to town.”