Wilson Bowden Developments has been selected by Vale Royal Borough Council as its preferred developer for the 30 acre (12ha) Baron’s Quay scheme at Northwich in Cheshire.

The developer beat competition from 18 bidders with its plans for 300,000 sq ft (27,870 sq m) of comparison retailing, residential units, a leisure hub, a hotel and offices. Centros Miller and St Modwen also made it on to the shortlist.

The £200 million project will fulfil the council’s Northwich Vision framework for the regeneration of the town’s riverside district, in a 15-year programme to increase the town’s appeal as both a shopping and recreational destination. Wilson Bowden’s plan will break the area down into distinct quarters with an iconic leisure complex.

Wilson Bowden development director Simon Russian said: “Northwich has a huge potential to expand its retail and leisure offer and we intend to create a market leading scheme.”

Vale Royal borough council is being advised by Cushman & Wakefield and Morland Consultancy. Cushman & Wakefield development partner Alistair Parker said: “The selection process was remarkable in terms of the scale and quality of the regeneration ambitions put forward by the three companies. All three saw this as an opportunity for achieving an exemplary scheme that would set a new market