Lend Lease has drawn up plans to extend the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent by 375,000 sq ft.

A consultation process has been launched ahead of an outline planning application for the West Village extension to the 1.75m sq ft shopping centre, which will be submitted later this year.

The extension would be integrated with the Guildhall, and would aim to build upon Bluewater’s aspirational tenant mix.  

Richard Coppell, head of retail development at Lend Lease, said: “Whilst significant enhancements have been made since opening, we are keen to ensure that Bluewater’s guests have the very best retail and leisure available.”

The West Village extension is the next step in the evolution of Bluewater that began last November with the opening of The Plaza and Glow, Bluewater’s events and exhibition space. 

In October this year, Lend Lease will complete the redevelopment of The Wintergarden, Bluewater’s family dining village.

In June Bluewater’s sales increased by 6% compared to the same time last year, ahead of the BRC-KPMG figure of 3% for the UK as a whole.

Bluewater, which was developed in a former quarry, was opened in 1999 and was the first UK mall to create separate areas for different uses.