A SITE that caused rows between Sainsbury's superstore and Braintree Council has now been earmarked for potential housing.

The Broomhills Industrial Estate off Pod's Brook Road was a site Sainsbury's had been keen on since 2013, but Braintree Council turned the application down, saying it would have a negative effect on shoppers in the town centre.

The site in Braintree has now been recommended for residential development- a decision made by planning officers and members of the Local Plan Committee.

It was allocated in the 2014 Local Plan as a regeneration site, but is now set for 70 homes.

Last year, Sainsbury’s admitted defeat after a planning inspector controversially rejected its appeal over a 4,765 sq m store.

Residents told a nine day planning appeal hearing they were fed up of driving out of town to do their shopping.

However an employment land review by planning officers recommended the site should no longer be identified for employment uses.

Planning officers said: “The site is run down, and is also a brownfield site which would benefit from redevelopment.

“As such it is recommended that the allocation be changed to a residential site.”

Councillors agreed the site, which has in the past attracted travellers, was in need of regeneration.

John McKee, district councillor for Braintree West, said it was the best decision for the district.

He said: "It's absolutely the right decision for Braintree given that it's an eyesore and something has to happen to it.

"It's not serving any community at the moment, whether it be retail or industry- it will just deteriorate.

"Sainsbury's is most likely now changing its strategy and is no longer interested.

"As it is next to a residential area it was the right decision by planning officers."

Back in 2013 the land was designated for light industrial use.

Questions were raised as to whether it should include food retail, but these were ruled out over fears it would put the old Morrisons store in Rayne Road out of business.

Mr McKee said the planning strategy was to keep the majority of big retail stores and businesses close to the town centre to bring shoppers to the High Street.

Residents and businesses have had mixed views over whether housing is the right option.

Laura Barnett, who lives in Nayling Road next to the industrial estate, said housing would invade their quiet community.

She said: "If it's made into residential use we wouldn't want for the people living there to come to our little private estate.

"I thought Sainsbury's was a good idea at the time as we could get there and back within a couple of minutes.

"Housing will make a difference to the traffic as well as getting on and off this estate is hell."

Michael Bishop, manager at Just Tyres in Springwood Drive near the estate, said either use would be beneficial for business.

He said: "Whether Sainsbury's or housing went there we would benefit from it so the fact it is housing is a positive thing.

"It's quite a fair amount of housing which would not fix the traffic problems- that is the only issue. It's a no go area after 4pm. That's the biggest concern everyone is going to have."