Hundreds of new jobs are set to be created after retail giant Tesco was given the go-ahead for a new superstore.

The store will be on the south side of Coggeshall Road, close to the Marks Farm roundabout, in Braintree, and could mean up to 225 full-time and part-time positions having to be filled.

Members of the Braintree area committee unanimously backed the proposal and praised the "futuristic" design of the building with one side almost entirely glass panels and a "ski-slope" effect on the roof.

Barbara Buchan (Lab, Braintree West) said: "It is very futuristic. A new millennium steel and glass building - perfect."

Anthony Meadows, (Lib Dem, Rayne) welcomed the plan, but said: "I am really disappointed Tesco has not given a reassurance on the future of the town centre store."

The principle of a store had been previously agreed by Braintree Council and it will be part of a "new neighbourhood" in the area which has been earmarked for 1,000 homes, a primary school, a community centre and open space.

It will contain 20,000 sq-ft of floorspace and parking for 310 cars but there are no plans for a petrol station.

David Mann (Lab, Bocking North) said: "It will mean lots more jobs for east Braintree, which is always welcome. The design is adventurous and I am happy we will grow to love it.

"I look forward to it becoming the local centre we envisaged for this part of Braintree."

The store and car park makes up about two-thirds of the vacant land. The other third has been earmarked for 15,000 sq-ft of use for a range of options such as retail, food and drink or leisure but no applications have yet been received.

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