THE leader of Basildon Council insists Pitsea has “never looked better” despite fears over a proposed supermarket.

Last week it was revealed Morrisons had failed to respond to two letters from council chief executive Bala Mahendran about its site in Rectory Park Drive.

The 75,000 sq ft store had been due to open this year, but building work has come to a halt and Morrisons has removed its branding from hoarding.

The £30million regeneration project, led by developer London and Cambridge Properties, has also included relocating Aldi, creating a new market site and redeveloping retail areas.

Tory council leader Phil Turner said: “Given the question marks hanging over Morrisons, Pitsea has never looked better.

“I defy anyone to go to Pitsea and say it doesn’t look great.”

The supermarket chain has a duty to complete building work on the site, and if it does not occupy the building itself it must arrange to sublet it to another retailer.

Mr Turner added: “The issue with Morrisons is a commercial one, but we hope when they finally see fit to give a reply, they decide to come to Pitsea.”

Labour group leader Gavin Callaghan had called for the future of the site to be debated at Basildon Council last week.

But the mayor Don Morris did not consider it to be an urgent matter and the debate did not take place on that occasion.