A COFFEE roasting and packing centre could be built on the site of a former Basildon car parts factory.

The Visteon factory, in Christopher Martin Road, closed down in 2009, with 170 workers losing their jobs.

The building has since been demolished and plans to build a modern distribution centre on the site were approved in 2013.

But Prologis, which now owns the site, has been unable to find a new tenant, and fresh plans have been submitted for a coffee production site.

Application agent Paul Keywood confirmed there is a potential occupant of the site who had not yet been identified.

Prologis, a global logistics company, bought the 12-acre factory site from Visteon in 2008, and rented it back to the company for a year until its closure.

Job losses were announced after Visteon called in receivers as its debts piled up to £669million. Despite advertising the factory site as a “build to suit” opportunity for industrial or warehouse use, an occupant has not been found.

The site, marketed as Prologis Park, is located just off the A127 exit at Nevendon.

A marketing brochure for the site said: “Prologis Park Basildon provides a new opportunity for warehouse occupiers seeking a highquality facility in a prominent location.

“A range of warehouse sizes can be accommodated and these will be built to the highest quality and standards.”

A public consultation period on the latest application will end on April 22.

Basildon Council aims to make a decision on the proposals in late June.