THIS is how a major £13 million expansion of Braintree Freeport could look.

Developer Realm, property manager of Freeport, announced last week that it would be applying to build five new retail units at Freeport at a total cost of £13m.

The development would represent a 40 per cent increase in the size of the retail park and create up to 100 new full-time and part-time jobs.

There are no indications as yet as to which shops would occupy the site.

However, Realm has said they are retailers which are not currently present in Braintree.

Jack Kellard, development manager at Realm, said: “Our investment in Braintree will offer shoppers a greater choice of retailers and create a significant number of new jobs.

“We’re really pleased with the interest that we have received so far and hope lots of people will come to see the proposals and get involved in the consultation before we submit a planning application.”

Two public exhibitions will be held showing the plans for land north of Freeport.

The first takes place on Wednesday at Freeport by the tourist information centre between noon and 5pm.

A second will take place on October 8 at Braintree Town Hall on Market Square between 10am and 3pm.

Feedback from these exhibitions will be considered before a planning application is submitted to Braintree Council.