PLANS for a McDonald’s restaurant as part of a new development in Dovercourt have been welcomed as a boost for regeneration.

The fast food giant is understood to be interested in opening a restaurant at the Harwich Valley development, off Stour Close.

There are two drive-thru takeaways planned at the £48 million housing and leisure development.

A spokesman for McDonald’s told the Standard: “We are always looking for new sites and can confirm Harwich is an area where we would like to invest, open a new restaurant and create jobs.

“We are looking at several potential opportunities in the area but have no confirmed plans.”

Plans for Harwich Valley had to be approved by Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities, in October last year, because it is such a major development.

The project will see 297 homes built along with a six-screen cinema, a supermarket with petrol station, 63-bed hotel, pub, shops, restaurants, and a number of business units.

John Brown, district councillor for the Harwich West ward, said McDonald’s interest showed big firms are willing to invest in Harwich.

He said: “A McDonald’s will be a great investment in our town and people here will love it.

“A lot of people who choose to go shopping elsewhere to go shopping for the day could be encouraged to stay and spend their money here.

“We need facilities like Harwich Valley is offering here. We need services and infrastructure before new homes are built.”

Harding Estates is spearheading the scheme, which is expected to create 1,500 full and part-time jobs, including nearly 300 temporary construction jobs.

The developer also previously claimed the knock-on effect of boosting the town’s economy could lead to the creation of almost 1,000 jobs.

More than 1,000 car parking spaces will be provided by the development and a new roundabout junction will be built on the A120 by-pass.

Harding Estates declined to comment.