LAINDON could get a new retail centre with a high street boulevard of shops and tree-lined squares, under radical new plans.

Colonnade Group, the new owner of the ageing 1960s Laindon shopping centre, admitted plans agreed three years ago to replace it with 173 flats, 21 new shops and a supermarket were "unworkable" and had been scrapped.

Instead, the firm revealed it hoped to develop a high street shopping centre through Laindon High Road, with a range of shops connected by public squares.

The developer is creating a masterplan for the town, but residents and traders have been warned to expect delays as the plans go back to the drawing board.

A public consultation starts this week at the complex to gauge public opinion. Early proposals include:

  • An NHS health care centre
  • A recreation ground
  • Homes and flats overlooking public squares
  • Lifts and travellators, to improve access to shops, and better road crossings
  • Secure parking
  • Bus stops closer to shops.

Despite the news, some long suffering traders said they were worried about further delays.

Hugh Lipscombe, chairman of the Laindon Traders' Association, said: "If we are going right back to the drawing board with new plans being submitted, then we are back to square one.

"I appreciate they need to get this right, but we could be talking about another two years."

Steve Kaye, manager of HQ Hairdressers, said he was looking forward to seeing the plans, but hoped some changes would be phased in.

He said: "All we have been told is they have taken over management.

"I would like to see a phased development with work on new shops starting in the car park, so they can move some of us at a time and we can keep trading."

Paul Dimoldenburg, a spokesman for Collonade, said: "The previous plans were unworkable.

"That is why they never got off the ground and we need to go back to the drawing board.

"We need to see what residents and traders want before going any further."

The consultation takes place in Unit 18 of the centre Thursday, September 13 from 2pm to 5pm, Friday, September 14 from noon to 5pm, and Saturday, September 15 from 10am to 4pm.