Work on an ambitious project to transform Great Yarmouth’s south beach area is due to start next month, it has been confirmed.

In January, the first brick is due to be laid on the Edge development, which is the brainchild of Albert Jones, owner of the Pleasure Beach.

The first stage of the work will cost £7m and will see the addition of an 81-room Premier Inn and Beefeater restaurant by the Pleasure Beach, with plans to open them this time next year.

The second phase will see the building of a cinema with eight screens, five chain restaurants and an indoor play area.

The planned third stage will be a casino and there would also be a multi-storey carpark built.

MORE; Delight at planning approvalMr Jones said: “We are pleased to receive the news that work will start in January and the first brick will be laid on the Edge development.

The news of the beginning of the first phase was warmly welcomed by Graham Plant, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

He said: “It is absolutely brilliant.”

Mr Jones campaigned for five years for one of England’s eight large casino licences to be granted to Great Yarmouth.

It gained the licence in 2012.

In July this year the first stage of the multi-million pound development was approved by Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s development control committee.

MORE: plans go on showCouncillors also unanimously approved an outline application for a large casino, an entertainment complex with restaurants and a cinema and an indoor children’s play area.

It was the third time proposals had been put before the council with larger scale applications receiving planning permission in 2006 and 2011 though these lapsed.