The heart of Rayleigh could have high-rise flats, a multi-story car park and a new fast food outlet if ambitious plans for a revamp are adopted by councillors.

Rochford District Council met to consider a presentation by David Beardmore, managing director of G L Hearn, which was commissioned to look into the options for improving the Websters Way car park.

Mr Beardmore told councillors that three schemes had been looked at following a brief which included improving car parking provision in the town with no financial implications for the council. These were:

A supermarket operated by a major national company

A multi-storey car park with a fast food outlet

Two five-storey blocks of two-bedroomed flats, a multi-storey car park and a fast food outlet.

Mr Beardmore said that no major supermarket chain had expressed an interest in the site because of its limited size.

However, interest had been shown by fast food retailers and councillors heard that the third option could be expected to generate £700,000.

Councillors were told that a projected £450,000 would be spent on environmental improvements. They rejected a proposal to dismiss the plans and approved a motion to undertake further research and consultation with interested parties and the public.

Published Monday, March 25, 2002