A SUPERMARKET giant has reportedly splashed out millions of pounds on a derelict warehouse to transform into a new store.

Plans are thought to be in the pipeline to build a Tesco superstore on the Delfords site, in Main Road, Dovercourt, which the company has previously expressed interest in.

Residents have spoken out on rumours Tesco has paid £4.1million for the warehouse and land, which has suffered a number of fires since the former owner, AEW Delford Systems, left in April 2008.

However, Tesco representatives have refused to confirm or deny any sale has yet taken place.

Maria Fowler, of Mayes Lane, Little Oakley, set up a Facebook support group, Say Yes to Tesco at Dovercourt, which so far has more than 850 members.

She said: “The source of the information is very reliable. There is only one figure everyone is talking about down here, and that is £4.1million.

“It can’t have just been plucked out of thin air. It must have come from somewhere.

“I would say the price sounds about right to me for that site.

“I definitely support the move, and it sounds like a lot of people here will support it too, and want to see them open a store. I have heard very few negative comments from people.”

Tesco first confirmed interest in building a store in Dovercourt last September, and said it had been “aware” of the Delfords site for some time.

The superstore confirmed a planning consultant was working at the site earlier this year to decide if a planning application could be submitted to Tendring Council. A Tesco representative said in February the company was hoping to make a decision on whether to go forward with plans within two or three months.

Nick Gellatly, a spokesman for Tesco, said: “We do not wish to comment at this time.”

Scott Properties, of Colchester, which owns Delfords, was not available to comment.