Hundreds of jobs could be created if a new business sets up in an empty warehouse which has gone on the market.

Laindon Holdings Ltd, which owns the Toomey's Vauxhall and Saab car depot at Dunton, hopes to lease the warehouse on a nine-acre area it owns to firms keen to set up in the area.

The 155,000 square foot structure could pull in rents of up to £800,000 per year for the company.

The firm has submitted a planning application to Basildon Council through London-based agents Nai Fuller Peiser<OK> to develop 404 parking spaces, new access route to the site and gatehouse and 3m-high galvanised security fence with razor wire at the Dunton Distribution Centre, in Bramston Link.

The site is said to be suitable as an industrial distribution warehouse or service yard.

A spokesman for Nai Fuller Peiser said: "The site was acquired by Toomeys around 18 months ago from a former business, but has remained vacant ever since.

"Some improvement work has already been carried out to the warehouse, but the application is for these remaining works to make it a more attractive investment for a potential firm to lease.

"The car parking bays will be marked out to prevent a build up of vehicles that are currently parking in surrounding roads."