A SUPERMARKET chain has been accused of leaving Pitsea residents in the dark by refusing to reveal if it has abandoned plans for a new store.

The 75,000 sq ft Morrisons store, off Rectory Park Drive, was due to open at the end of this year, but building work has ground to a halt.

Morrisons has been accused of failing to respond to letters from Basildon Council requesting updates on the scheme.

Gavin Callaghan, leader of the Basildon Labour group on the council, wanted the issue discussed at last night’s council meeting.

In June and July, council chief executive Bala Mahendran invited Morrisons’ chief executive to join him in Pitsea to discuss employment opportunities.

The council has confirmed it received no response.

Mr Callaghan said: “In light of this new information and the growing uncertainty over the future of the Morrisons store, Labour felt it was important that this issue was raised.”

The Morrisons store is part of a £30million regeneration project, led by developer London and Cambridge Properties.

The Echo understands the supermarket has a contractual commitment with the developer to build and open the store.

If it is unwilling to open the store itself, Morrisons will need to sub-let the unit to another occupant.

Morrisons announced earlier this year it was scaling back its operations across the UK, closing 11 existing supermarkets.

Last month it removed its branding from fencing surrounding the Rectory Park Drive site.

Richard Moore, councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact Morrisons has been through a bad patch.

“While we haven’t received a direct response as yet, regular contact has been made by the council to ask it is informed as early as possible of any decision.

“I am sure the building will come into use sooner or later.

“However, this doesn’t overshadow the fact the Pitsea town centre regeneration has been a real improvement for local residents.

“Anyone visiting the town will be able to see the positive impact it’s had.”

Mr Callaghan added: “It is no secret that Labour councillors have consistently questioned whether Morrisons would be in a financial position to fulfil their obligations to London and Cambridge, but at present I think everyone is in the dark over Morrisons intentions.

“We urgently need answers.”

Morrisons and London and Cambridge Properties were contacted by the Echo but were not available to comment.

MAYOR: DEBATE IS 'NOT AN EMERGENCY'

AN OPPOSITION leader has accused “embarrassed” Tory councillors of stifling a debate about the future of the Morrisons site.

Labour had tabled an emergency motion for last night’s council meeting, labelling the ongoing uncertainty as “dangerous” for Pitsea businesses.

But Tory mayor Don Morris refused to add the item to the meeting agenda, stating he did not regard the issue as an emergency.

Labour leader Gavin Callaghan said: “I am very disappointed the mayor has not granted us an emergency motion.

“It was an opportunity for the council to show leadership and demonstrate to the public that we understand their concerns and will endeavour to find answers to their questions in the next few weeks.

“I suspect that there is a large amount of embarrassment in Tory ranks over the failure of Morrisons to engage with the council and their likely decision to abandon the Pitsea development.”

But Mr Morris said: “We have got a busy agenda and I didn’t consider what he was saying to be an emergency.

“I consider it an emergency if we have got a nuclear fallout cloud coming our way, but this is something which will resolve itself.”