An ambitious scheme for a large convenience store, 34 apartments and a state-of-the-art car showroom could help to revitalise an important gateway into Colchester.

Luton-based developer Eastern Square Property Group's plan is for a two-acre site in Magdalen Street, Colchester.

The proposals, submitted to Colchester Council, encompass the site occupied by Dovercourt Ford and land next to its showrooms.

If planners give the go-ahead, Dovercourt Ford would get a new 10,000 sq ft showroom, sitting alongside the 10,000sq ft convenience store, which would have some of the 34 appartments built above it.

Nick Madden, director of Eastern Square Property Group, said the new store would create between 22 and 50 full-time or part-time jobs, and would contribute to the on-going improvements in Magdalen Street.

"It will not be a large supermarket. It will be much more like a large convenience store. This is what planners are looking for," he said.

"The current car showrooms are very old, a real mish-mash of buildings, which have been there for about 50 years.

"The proposals are for a purpose-built showroom which meets Ford's latest specifications."

He added: "In Colchester, the local planners are looking for designs which continue to be for the improvement of Magdalen Street."

Eastern Square is involved in many projects across Essex. It recently finished Lidl discount stores in Romford, Basildon and Chelmsford, whilst building work has just begun on a Lidl store in Clacton.

But Mr Madden said no decision had yet been made as to which operator would take on the new store. "We are having discussions with four different retailers," he said.

"These include off-shoots of the major UK food stores, as well as the foreign supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi."

If planning permission is granted for the scheme, Mr Madden said workmen could be on site in nine months, with a further nine months to complete the building project.

By Lisa Cockrell

Reporter's e-mail: lisa_cockrell@thisisessex.co.uk

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