5:20am Saturday 4th September 2010
By Max Orbach
THIS is how the new Morrisons supermarket in the centre of Hadleigh could look, if plans are approved by Castle Point Council.
The artist’s impression shows the proposed store will have two large glazed entrances opening to the car park and to London Road, allowing shoppers access from the town’s main shopping area.
The new store will be built on the site of the former Lookers car showroom, in London Road, next to Morrisons’ exisiting store.
This will be knocked down to provide extra car parking spaces. Morrisons revealed its attention to expand into the Lookers site earlier this year and it held a consultation with shoppers to outline its plans.
James Smith, development executive of Morrisons, said: “The feedback from the consultation in Hadleigh has been one of the most positive we have had to date.
“The community is keen to see the new store delivered in the town as soon as possible.
“People can see a state-of-the-art, new Morrisons would help kick-start the much-needed regeneration in Hadleigh.”
The new store will be nearly 40 per cent larger than the current one and will include a cafe.
Designed by architects Bowman Riley, the building will include larger specialist counters, including a butchers, fishmonger and bakery.
It is also expected to provide extra jobs.
If Morrisons is to secure the site, it will have to beat other firms, and it is known Waitrose is interested in the location.
Castle Point Council is expected to demand the supermarket makes a financial contribution towards its planned redevelopment of Hadleigh in exchange for granting planning permission.
Jeffrey Stanley, deputy council leader, said: “It’s important developers, such as Morrisons, work closely to try to insure our vision for Hadleigh town centre can be realised.
“I hope Morrisons’ planning application will reflect this.
“At the end of the day it’s in everyone’s best interests to get a vibrant and cohesive redevelopment of Hadleigh.”
The planning application is expected to be considered by the council’s development control committee at its next meeting on Tuesday, October 5.
If permission is granted, Morrisons hopes the new store will be open for trading in 2012.
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