OXFORD — Developers hoping to transform farmland across Route 26 from Oxford Casino into an outlet shopping and recreation destination have permission to begin construction.

Casalinova Development Group of Oxford, which was behind the design phase of a Hampton Inn planned for the same site, announced late last week that it received approval from state regulators and the town Planning Board to begin construction. The project is proposed for 92 acres with retail outlets, restaurants and sporting amenities across from one of the state’s two casinos.

According to Maine Department of Environmental Protection records on the project, which is named Crestholm Villages after the farm it would abut, the estimated $7.5 million plan calls for the creation of eight villages spread out over the property, extending from Route 26 down the sloping farmland toward the Little Androscoggin River. 

The main thrust is not to be “the right or left” arm of the casino but an independent attraction, with buildings owned or leased by the businesses that move in the retail spaces, Zakk Maher of business development and communications at Casanova Development Group, said. Ideally, clauses built into deeds would create an association of owners with a say on what kinds of businesses can set up shop. The association would also ensure proper stormwater runoff monitoring. 

“We don’t want to make it too restrictive, but at the same time we don’t want a strip club going in next to a restaurant, Maher said.

The project would involve filling in over 12,000 square feet of wetlands along the river to provide parking. A study by the Army Corps of Engineers dated March 2 indicated the plan would have little environmental impact. 

According to the plans, roughly 5½ acres of undeveloped meadows would serve as a kind of butter between the villages. 

It’s unclear what kind of interest exists in the project. Casalinova is actively courting businesses but disclosure agreements with clients prevent detailing the extent of the negotiations, Maher said.

Looming uncertainty over the project exists with the spectre of a casino opening in southern Maine, Maher said. Businesses are curious, but hedging their bets, waiting to see if a bill proposing a new casino will make its way through the Legislature. 

“People legitimately say, ‘We want to go, but we’re going to see what happens with a southern Maine casino,'” Maher said.  

The villages are in the town’s Tax Increment Financing district, and eventual property owners would be eligible for credit enhancement agreements with the town for reimbursement on infrastructure upgrades, he said. 

Buildings will be serviced by the town’s sewer treatment plant, which is under construction. 

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