A PLANNED £75 million retail, leisure and housing complex at the northern edge of Clacton should not harm the town centre, according to a Tendring Council report.

Planning chiefs recommend councillors approve a scheme from Clacton-based Britton Developments when Planning Committee meets next week, saying it will create up to 200 retail and hospitality jobs.

The project, first revealed in August, includes a McDonalds, Lidl supermarket, DIY retailer Wickes, Pets at Home store, a Costa Coffee, a Marston’s family pub, a 39-bedroom hotel, children’s play zone, business park and 200 homes.

The site comprises of nearly 16 acres of farmland west of the A133 opposite the established Brook Retail Park and immediately north of Picketts Ditch.

The business units would cover 1.3ha and be sited north of the proposed food store and retail units. The housing and associated open space would go on 6.8ha of the western half of the site.

A report for next Wednesday’s meeting said the potential harm to Clacton town centre “required the most careful consideration.”

“A retail assessment has been submitted and independently appraised by expert consultants. The independent advice suggests that the development as proposed, is unlikely to have any severe detrimental impacts on the viability and viability of the town centre so long as certain restrictions are put in place to minimise potential competition with town centre businesses,” it said.

Tendring Council’s own Regeneration Team agreed.

“The development will also provide up to 200 new jobs in both the retail and hospitality sectors which will be another boost for the town. The inclusion of commercial business units (approx. 3000sq m) in the applicants ‘outline application’ is also supported by the Regeneration Team, as not only will these provide the opportunity for further job creation, it will also see the provision of an alternative site for some much needed commercial units,” it said.

The report said the retail outlets would “generate considerable economic growth, widen consumer choice and provide additional employment.”

Therefore, the scheme should be seen as a positive, as long as there is no impact on the town centre.

But it warned the Old Road shopping area may be harmed, plus the existing Aldi and Lidl stores at the northern end of Pier Avenue.

Furthermore, the council also received an opinion from AEGON UK Property fund whose interest is in the Clacton Factory Outlet.

“Their concerns are essentially retail impact, conflicts with policies on the location of hotels and the impacts of vehicular movements,” the report said.

Planning officers noted the site was outside the existing development boundary of Clacton but said the emerging Local Plan was removing the existing ‘Green Gap’ designation between Clacton and Little Clacton.

“The site is effectively enveloped by the proposed Hartley Gardens strategic development proposal that is expected to deliver some 2,500 homes in the longer term,” it explained.

The council had sought Section 106 contributions of £250,740 for early years and childcare provision, £733,080 for primary school provision and £742,440 for secondary school provisions. The NHS sought £69,000 and Tendring Council also wanted 30 per cent of the homes as ‘affordable.’ But an economic viability assessment from the developers claimed housing and secondary school contributions were unaffordable, leading to the council to suggest a draft Section 106 agreement of 12 ‘shared ownership’ homes, £733,080 for primary provision and the transfer of Picketts Ditch Walkway to the council.