Wycombe District Council has appointed Mace Real Estate as lead developer for its £150m Handy Cross Hub mixed-use development.

The 17-acre site, overlooking the Chilterns, will include a state of the art sports and leisure centre, 150-bedroom hotel, offices, retail outlets and a coachway park and ride.

Mace is acting as development manager, as well as providing a wide range of services including project management, cost management and design services.

Phase one of the major redevelopment started in spring this year, with the AFLS+P Architects-designed sports and leisure centre due for completion towards the end of 2015. The facility will include a 12-court sports hall, eight lane 50m swimming pool, health suite, 150-station gym, four rink indoor bowls hall, two squash courts, climbing wall and a café.

Mace Development director Huw Griffiths said: “It’s always great to work on projects which we know will leave a lasting legacy and we look forward to seeing many years of planning and design translating into first class leisure, business and travel facilities for the people of Wycombe and the surrounding areas.”