Diggerland’s continued expansion across the UK has taken a big step forward after plans for a £5m (US$7.6m, €7m) site at The Valley in Evesham, Worcestershire, were approved by the local council.

First established in 2000, Diggerland recently made the leap overseas, opening its first franchised theme park in the US. Currently operating in four UK locations – including Devon, Durham, Kent and Yorkshire – the new Diggerland at The Valley is set to open 2016 after Wychavon District Council granted permission for the five acre development.

Overlooking the River Avon, Diggerland will be set within 125 acres (505,000sq m) of Evesham County Park green space and will also comprise a garden centre, factory outlet, farm shop and miniature steam railway. The recently rebranded park is also soon to offer a shopping village, cafés, restaurants, cycle tracks, climbing walls, running tracks and picnic areas.

Diggerland’s sister company Masterhitch Europe is behind designs and will handle construction of the park. Featured rides at the new attraction will include the signature Dumper Trucks, Sky Shuttle and Spin Dizzy, as well as offering visitors the chance to try out their excavating skills with a six-tonne digger and drive a JCB 3CX. In addition, the development will include indoor play areas, retail and the park’s signature Dig Inn café.

“Diggerland is the ultimate adventure park,” said Spencer Gower, Eagle One retail asset manager. “We are delighted to gain planning permission to bring it to The Valley. Diggerland is ideal for an action-packed day out, and will complement our existing shopping and leisure offer perfectly.”