SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons has finally confirmed it will abandon plans to open in Pitsea, but a major home and garden retailer has been lined up to take its place.

Morrisons had agreed to be the flagship retailer as part of a £30million regeneration scheme led by developer London and Cambridge Properties.

Construction work halted earlier this year, casting the project into doubt, but Morrisons now wants to sub-let the 75,000 sq ft store to home living retailer The Range.

Morrisons is contractually obliged to occupy the unit, so London and Cambridge will make the final decision on whether to allow the deal.

Richard Moore, Basildon councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “We are encouraged to learn Morrisons has made a formal application to London and Cambridge to sub-let the store to The Range and that they are considering it.

“The Range is a major name in home living - it is an ideal brand to bring people into the town and improve trade for existing businesses.

“It also, along with the other retailers in the centre, has the potential to offer a much wider shopping experience overall than a supermarket would have done.

“Obviously there had been hopes Morrisons would occupy the store, but the key step has now been taken to move things on after the retailer’s review of its national strategy about opening new stores.

“There was no question the store is not in a strong retail location following the regeneration of the town centre and the new market square.

“We are in close contact with London and Cambridge Properties and as soon as an agreement has been made they will let us know.”

More than 5,000 residents signed a petition in 2012 urging Basildon Council not to knock down Pitsea Swimming Pool to make way for the superstore, off Rectory Park Drive.

At the time, senior councillors admitted Morrisons was the dealmaker, and used the supermarket to justify controversial decisions, including demolishing the Railway pub and downsizing the market.

The regeneration project for Pitsea, which will be completed if The Range opens, has included rebuilding the Aldi store and creating a new Market Square.