Britton Developments, the same company that developed Brook Retail Park, have submitted plans for a £75 million retail, leisure, and housing complex. The site is located west of the A133, opposite the established Brook Retail Park in Clacton-on -Sea and comprises of nearly 16 acres of farmland.
What does the project include?
- The project includes a number of well-known retailers such as McDonalds, Lidl supermarket, Wickes, Pets at Home, and Costa Coffee.
- Leisure facilities include a Marston’s family pub, a 39 bedroom hotel, children’s play zone, and parkland.
- The site is offering up to 200 new homes, 30% of which the Council wanted to be affordable housing. However, after an assessment, it is now proposed that there are 12 ‘shared ownership’ homes instead.
- There is also approximately 3000sq m of commercial business units.
- The development will provide up to 200 new jobs in both the retail and hospitality sectors with the opportunity for further job creation within the business units available.
The Council has sought a Section 106 Agreement which means the developer will make contributions towards infrastructure and affordable housing, including early years and childcare, primary school, secondary school, and NHS facilities.
Although the site will remove the existing ‘Green Gap’ designation between Clacton and Little Clacton, the Developer has created an area of parkland to the southern area of the site. The housing, located on the west half of the site, has been positioned next to parkland to provide an optimal combination of development and open space.
Local residents and retailer have raised concerns
Local residents and retailers have raised a number of concerns about how the development will affect the local area. One concern is whether the retail units will affect the town centre and the existing Aldi and Lidl stores of Pier Avenue.
The retailers upon the development do however widen consumer choice and generate economic growth whilst also creating much needed additional jobs. The development may therefore increase Clacton’s attractiveness as a retail and leisure destination.
Another concern is the increased traffic on local roads. The developer has proposed enlarging the A133’s roundabout to help keep traffic off local roads. Although the additional housing is only going to increase the number of motorists.
Taking into account the proposed 12,000 homes recommended for Tendring, the additional retail development will be needed to serve the increased population.
FJG’s Commercial Property team are available if you would like further advice, please contact us on 01206 700113 or email [email protected].