DEVELOPERS behind a £120 million regeneration project have increased the planned shop space by almost 40 per cent.

The proposals for retail floor space at the Flemingate site in Beverley have increased from 130,000sq ft to 178,000sq ft. The 48,000sq ft increase is a similar size to Waitrose in Willerby.

Hull firm Wykeland, part of the consortium leading the project, has also revealed the shopping outlets will be spread over two floors.

However, it refused to say how many more extra stores could move in the extra space, only that negotiations are well under way with a possible anchor tenant.

The plans, which are to be shown to members of the public this week, include:

The new Beverley campus for East Riding College.

An 80-bed hotel

A five-screen cinema complex

Restaurants

A community hall

Office accommodation

A 486-space multi-storey car park.

Almost 700 jobs will be created by the scheme, in addition to the 320 jobs created during the construction phase.

A spokesman for the consortium said the style and size of the shop units at the new site are very different to the existing core retail provision in Beverley.

He said of the 221 retail units in the town centre, only seven are more than 5,000sq ft.

"The new Flemingate scheme will offer a complementary proposal to the town centre," he said. "The average size on the new site will be 10,000sq ft.

"Our research shows this is what Beverley needs and the regeneration of such a large slice of land so close to the Minster and the town centre will be good news for the local economy.

"We are confident our scheme will attract additional shoppers to the town, thereby increasing footfall and business for existing retailers."

Members of Beverley Civic Society have seen the revised proposals.

Ian Munro, from the group, said: "I've been impressed with the plans and I think the Flemingate development does have the potential to enhance Beverley.

"I am particularly interested in the community building and welcome plans for a cinema. I would hate for the development to lead to a demise for existing retailers, but, overall, I think it could be an asset to the town."

However, some traders have expressed concern about the impact it could have on the town.

Beverley businessman David Bird, from Carol Bird Interiors, said: "I don't see any justification to increase the retail floor space. What has changed since the original plans in 2009?

"I am concerned this could take businesses out of the town centre, who will look to open up in Flemingate. I do not support the increase in floor space."

The commercial site consists of just over ten acres, previously occupied by the Museum Of Army Transport and Clariant Chemicals and Hodgsons Tannery from the early 1800s.

A further six acres have been set aside for residential development. Work is already under way on 130 homes.

Outline planning consent was granted in 2009 for a mixed-used retail-led scheme. A revised application will shortly be submitted to East Riding Council.

Beverley Mayor Councillor Peter Astell said: "I do think the retail element of the scheme will draw more people to the town. It should give people a lot more choice and enhance the town in that area.

"Having lost Curry's recently, I would like to see someone selling major appliances.

"I do think the developers have got Beverley at heart."

A public exhibition of the plans will take place on Friday at the Beverley Arms Hotel, North Bar Within, from noon to 7.30pm.