A POPULAR town centre store could be moved to make way for a huge £300million housing regeneration scheme in the heart of Southend.

Southend Council has bought the Range site in Short Street, Southend, and is set to include this in the Better Queensway development.

The council yesterday announced a search for a joint venture development partner to help deliver the project, set to start in March.

The plans include 441 affordable homes, but the council says it will be looking for a developer who will offer more homes than this on a bigger site, which currently includes the Range. A preferred bidder is set to be announced in early 2019.

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, said: “We purchased the freehold in August 2017 as part of our commercial property investment programme to bring new income into the council, and because of the clear long-term opportunities the site offered in regards to the Better Queensway regeneration.

“We are now recommending that this site is included within the overall development area and considered part of the regeneration opportunity as we search for a joint venture partner.”

Mrs Holland added: “We have written to the Range to inform them of this and also to reassure them and their staff that we see them as a key retailer for, both now and in the future, that we are still at a very early stage, and we will involve them as we move further forward with our plans.” Senior councillors will discuss the latest project next Tuesday and they will also note feedback from the public consultation in late 2017.

The council has just won a £15m bid for Government funding to help deliver the project. The authority will not know how many extra affordable homes will be in the offing until it begins negotiations with developers.

Mrs Holland said: “This is the largest regeneration scheme being undertaken in the borough since the 1960s and it is vital we get this right. That is why we have taken time to consult with a variety of stakeholders through engagement and the formal public consultation at the end of 2017. We also want to continue listening to views as we go through the process. “I am very pleased that we have got to this stage and look forward to starting the official search for a development partner by the end of March.”

A report to the cabinet confirms the road layout would retain four lanes in total heading to and from the seafront.