Controversial plans to build a £50m ($85m, €63m) leisure and retail development in Northampton have been approved by Secretary of State Eric Pickles.

The developer of the Rushden Lakes project, LXB Properties, has been waiting for months for a decision on the development, which is to be built at the Skew Bridge brown field site.

Plans for the project, consulted on by HPW Architects, include the creation of a hotel, waterfront restaurants, a boathouse and leisure club, plus a lakeside visitors’ centre.

In October 2012, East Northamptonshire councillors voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the development, though they faced stiff opposition from Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre and a consortium of Corby, Kettering and Northampton councils.

Under planning rules, the project was referred to the Secretary of State, who called for the decision to be reviewed at a public inquiry.

Following the inquiry, the official confirmation of the decision read: “The Inspector recommended that planning permission should be granted subject to conditions. For the reasons given [in the report], the Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector’s recommendations.”

The decision to approve the development, subject to conditions, has been met with excitement from East Northamptonshire Council, with Cllr Steven North stating: “This is great news for East Northamptonshire as it will provide local people with a better retail offer on their doorstep as well as new jobs and a regenerated site that has become a blot on the landscape.

“The leisure opportunities will add to the Nene Valley project that encourages people to make the most of the river and help to give better access through a footbridge and cycle way across the A45.”

However, some of those who opposed the plans have claimed the project could potentially have a negative impact on the local area, but have also pledged to accept the decision and move forward.

“The Rushden Lakes development has the potential to damage towns around the county but we accept this decision and are ready to move forward,” said Cllr David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council.

This has not been the first time those at a senior governmental level have had to step in to rule over the progression of leisure developments, with the recently opened Centre Parcs Woburn Forest only winning planning permission following government intervention.