PLANS for a huge new DIY store in Braintree have been given the go-ahead.

Landowners Braintree Properties LLP applied for permission to build the outdoor garden centre, builders yard and 255 parking spaces south of Millennium Way, near Galleys Corner in 2013.

It was initially planned that retailer B&Q would relocate from its current store on the Braintree Retail Park, in Charter Way, to the new larger development - however talks broke down at the beginning of 2015.

Ward councillor James Abbott (Green, Silver End and Cressing) expressed concerns at a meeting of Braintree Council’s planning committee last Tuesday over the design of the development and the road network.

He said: “Anybody who knows the junctions in the area knows that mitigation of Fowlers Farm and Galleys Corner Roundabout would be extremely difficult and has already been tried. Highways England tried before and it just made things worse.”

Mr Abbott also said the council should be “embarrassed” if such destructive landscaping to trees in the area was allowed to go ahead without alteration.

The application was approved subject to a series of conditions on things like access and landscaping.

Plans state that sixty five jobs would be on offer at the more than 5,000sqm store.

A B&Q spokesperson said: “Whilst it is too early for us to confirm our plans and whilst the development process takes its course, we can confirm B&Q remains committed to having a store in the area and serving Braintree’s residents.”