PLANS for a multi-million-pound spa, gym and swimming pool complex at Mercia Marina have been scrapped in favour of creating more shops.

The marina, the largest of its kind in the UK, is seeking permission to revise plans for its £3 million waterfront development.

It now intends to create four new two-storey retail units in place of the leisure complex planned for its Lighthouse project at the 74-acre site near Willington, in South Derbyshire.

Under the revised plans, shops would border a new central piazza, designed to be a focal point for the previously approved Boardwalk waterfront shopping scheme.

In 2010, initial planning permission was granted for the project, which will include a pub and restaurant.

The pub building, named The Lighthouse, has also undergone design changes as part of the fresh application.

It will sit on a peninsula overlooking the water and will include outdoor seating on the ground floor, first-floor terracing and a conference venue on the top floor.

The overall development, which is scheduled to be built in 2013, is expected to create more than 50 jobs.

The piazza, Lighthouse and Boardwalk elements of the project were designed by Repton firm Bi-design Architecture and will be predominantly constructed from sustainable timber, natural stone and glass.

The marina is in talks with a local farm shop business, which is set to take the flagship retail unit.

Two retailers have already agreed terms for units within the seven shops in The Boardwalk scheme and negotiations are under way with other suppliers of locally-sourced goods, crafts and produce, aimed at the tourist market.

Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, said: "Changes to the original plan have been made to reflect the requirements of potential tenants for the pub and also in response to the encouraging number of inquiries we've received for retail units.

"The new design layout is much improved and the pedestrian piazza, which is suitable for outdoor events, will be a fabulous addition."

The 600-berth marina already has a boat supplies outlet, boat hire firms, a workshop, tea rooms and convenience store.

Paul Rushton, of Burton property consultants Rushton Hickman, is marketing the shop units.

He said: "We've agreed terms with two retailers and are in detailed negotiations with a handful of others.

"All those we're talking to are high-quality, local operators so the signs are very promising."