The watchdog Chelmsford Society has hailed the plans for the redevelopment of the former Bolingbroke & Wenley site in the town centre as a breath of architectural fresh air.
The designs were exclusively revealed in the Essex Chronicle last week and show a mainly glass and steel building, containing two large stores, on the High Street frontage, with five smaller shops, with a balconied treatment above, on the New London Road side.
Chairman Patrick Bermingham said that the society had considered the plans and given the thumbs-up.
"The design is clearly a breakaway from the mainly uninteresting High Street brickwork buildings. It points to the future, as does the form of the new Essex Record Office," said Mr Bermingham.
"The New London Road frontage should enhance that part of the town. It is different, but we think it is probably the way things are moving. It certainly stands out.
"We found it interesting. It is a breath of architectural fresh air."
The plans are due to be considered by borough councillors in July.
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