Controversial plans for a Tesco store and around 60 new homes at the former Tiptree Book Service site have been recommended for approval by borough councillors.

Members of the development control committee held a site meeting last Thursday before recommending approval subject to conditions. A final decision will be made by the planning and transportation committee on January 25.

Cllr Tony Webb said: "Future employment and traffic issues were raised and the county highways engineers are quite happy the proposed entrance and exit will work satisfactory at peak times."

But borough councillor Mike Dale a member of the Tiptree Development Forum which has objected to the scheme said objectors want the main entrance to the site off Station Road instead of Church Road.

He said: "People are worried about the traffic problems and the parish council is carrying out a traffic survey at the moment. We want the entrance off Station Road as we think that it would be a preferable solution to the traffic."

Conditions to the scheme include:

20 per cent of the houses for social housing

not less than 10 per cent of the site for public open space

a financial contribution towards the Tiptree Central Area Enhancement Scheme together with a cycleway link

suitable art features and maintenance of public open space

an area of a suitable size be allocated for a village hall and associated car parking

high quality boundary treatment and landscaping around the whole site.

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