A SUPERMARKET chain is thought to be planning a town centre expansion.

The Hadleigh branch of Morrisons has refused to confirm or deny it is considering buying the former Lookers Land Rover plot, next to its store in London Road.

Lookers shut up shop two days before Christmas and it is believed Morrisons would like to open a petrol station on the site.

Last month the supermarket chain bucked the trend of economic gloom with the announcement it would create 5,000 jobs during the coming year, by expanding its stores around the UK.

But the firm was tight lipped about its plans for the Lookers site.

Spokesman Jonathan Lloyd said: “We are constantly looking at sites but there is no further information about our proposed developments at the moment.”

The site is one of a number in Castle Point being considered for housing to help the council meet a target of 4,000 extra homes by 2026.

The proposal is included in a study of available land in the borough which forms part of Castle Point Council’s blueprint for development. Residents are being asked for their views on the document before councillors vote on it.

Hadleigh councillor Bill Sharp said: “I have heard the rumour about Morrisons but I don’t think it would be a good idea for Hadleigh.

“We want to become more like Leigh, not somewhere that people just pass through.”