The Visions of China theme park, planned for a former opencast coal mine in the Rother Valley Country Park, is one step closer to development with a lease agreement signed between the local council and developers.

The proposed 120-acre attraction is projected to cost more than £100m and would showcase Chinese architecture, garden design and culture and customs.

A Rotherham Borough Council spokesperson confirmed the authority has entered agreements for the leasing of 153-acres of land, meaning developer Mid City Developments (MCD) and leisure operator China Vision Ltd can move ahead with plans for the project.

Rotherham Borough Council picked Visions of China as the preferred development for the former Pithouse West colliery site in August last year, stating the attraction would increase visitor numbers to Yorkshire.

China Vision expects 1.5 million people will visit the park each year where they will see Oriental lakes and gardens, a Chinatown retail street, a Shaolin temple, theatre, children's "fantasy land", restaurants, and an Oriental-themed spa and hotel.

The project, led by Brightaspect managing director Peter Moore and MCD chief executive Steven Byrne, is expected to create 200 jobs during its two-year construction and 380 permanent jobs once in operation.

Moore, the former managing director of Center Parcs, has said they will work closely with Chinese architects and landscape designers to ensure the authenticity of the project.