The Government has given its blessing for plans for a new multi-screen cinema and restaurants in Ely.

The plans were approved by councillors back in April but had to be referred to the Secretary of State for Local Government, Greg Clark, because of their size and scale.

This week, East Cambridgeshire District Council was informed that Mr Clark had decided not to call the plans in for further scrutiny, clearing the way for developers to begin work on the site.

The developer, Turnstone, said that 280 jobs could be created as part of the development, located in Downham Road, next to the Ely Outdoor Sports Association, with the cinema potentially open by the summer of 2016.

There will be two drive-thru restaurants, as well as up to eight other food outlets. Negotiations are taking place with fast-food chains McDonalds and KFC.

An underpass linking the cinema to the rest of Ely will be lit and monitored by CCTV, Turnstone said, with almost 400 parking spaces available.

The current Ely city service bus route could be extended to cover the new facility, but negotiations are still taking place with the new owner, Stagecoach.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Will the new development be a positive thing for Ely? Send your thoughts to daniel.mansfield@archant.co.uk or write to Ely Standard, Alexander House, Fore Hill, Ely, CB7 4AF.