Lichfield District Council has given planning consent for Yorkshire developer S Harrison Group’s £95m Friarsgate retail-led scheme in Lichfield.

The decision was taken after the secretary of state for communities Ruth Kelly ruled that her intervention was not required. Harrison’s 400,000 sq ft (37,160 sq m) retail-led development is expected to create around 1500 jobs.

In December, Debenhams announced plans to take the 65,000 sq ft (6,038 sq m) two-storey store in the development, which will also feature a cinema, 80 bed hotel, restaurants, apartments, offices and a 740 space car park.

Harrison director David Clancy said: ‘Even before planning was granted we had had tremendous interest from high street brand leaders looking to gain a foothold in the city.’

Retail agents for the Friarsgate scheme are Nicholas Robinson & Partners and Fawley Watson Booth. The leisure agent is Christie & Co.