Work is underway on a multi-million pound retail development and country park on the edge of Clacton.

Britton Construction has started the preparation work for the Brook Park scheme, which is expected to create up to 200 jobs when it opens up next year.

It has started to move earth around the site and that is likely to take several weeks.

A spokesman for the firm said the project was first discussed in 1990, and there was great relief work had started.

"It all began with a public consultation exercise for the local plan and it has gone on from there," he said.

"Now, 13 years down the line, it is finally underway."

The spokesman said the first phase of the scheme was to get the site off London Road down to the correct base levels.

"It slopes slightly and we need to go slightly lower than the existing ground level to reduce the visual impact.

"The earth that comes out will help to create bunding along the London Road frontage and for the country park. We need a flat level site for the retail development and car park," he added.

The company is also starting to build the access from the Little Clacton bypass in the next month.

The spokesman said talks with retail operators were ongoing and it was not possible to reveal names or numbers at this stage as the information was commercially sensitive.

"However, it is fair to say that we are happy with the way the talks are going with those interested in signing up," he added. "Depending on who comes in, we are anticipating up to 200 jobs will be created at the site."

The spokesman said the opening was likely to take place early next year.

There are going to be two blocks of units on the retail park - one of six and the other of four - and it will involve 120,000 sq ft of warehousing space. The country park will cover 35 acres.

Published Wednesday, April 30, 2003

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