Plans have been unveiled for a major office development in Radford Way, Billericay - which will be built in classic Georgian style.

The 2,600 square metre development is planned to include four separate units, split across two buildings.

One building will hold three separate office suites, with a fourth in the second building - although the facilities could also be used by one large company.

Peter Strong, the agent for the plans, said the developer was Simon Quirk, who owns an estate agency in Billericay High Street.

He explained this meant the plans were designed with local people in mind, to fit in with the existing buildings in the town.

He said there had already been a consultation with planning officers to make sure the new offices are suitable.

He said: "Mr Quirk wanted this development to have a Georgian style - there will be a lot of brickwork. It will blend modern materials with a classic style.

"It will also be a good site for public transport links, close to Billericay Station, and bus links.

"If people do want to drive the development there will also have plenty of car parking spaces."

Billericay West councillor Matt Barr welcomed the development as it would bring jobs to the town.

He said it was on the site of an industrial complex and as such was suitable for office development.

But he said some consideration must be given to the traffic impact of the development in Radford Way, which is already a problem site for jams and accidents.

Charrington's Coal Yard, currently on the site, is to close after 100 years in the town.

But manager Steven Brooks explained the business may move to a warehouse site, or business may simply be taken up by the company's four other Essex sites.

He said: "When and if the plans are approved we will be moving to another site."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.