The Secretary of State has supported the Planning Inspector’s recommendation to uphold the planning permission for Rushden Lakes, in Northamptonshire, for 465,000 sq ft of mixed use retail and leisure, including a home and garden centre.

It is hoped that the new site could provide around 2,000 jobs with the facilities attracting three million visitors each year.

Tim Walton, CEO of LXB Retail Properties plc, the company behind the development,  said: "This is excellent news. The planning permission was originally granted by the local authority in October 2012 and has been subject to a thorough review process.

"The Group can now look forward to developing this major retail and leisure destination bringing much needed investment and jobs to East Northamptonshire."