A vision of the future for Shoebury Garrison was today unveiled by a developer intent on turning the site into a £50 million marina complex.

The Shoebury-based Lewis Harris Partnership is one of five bidders on the final list for the proposed development of the barracks and old ranges, with final bids being submitted this week.

The partnership's plans involve a mixed development of housing and commercial and leisure activities around a marina with an entrance lock to the sea.

Nigel Whistler, a director in the partnership, said: "What we are proposing is to actually give Shoebury a bit more of an identity than it has already. It is like a poor relation to Southend at the moment.

"We feel there is no point in buying the site and filling it with factories and housing - it needs a feature. Southend hasn't got a deep water mooring, it has always missed out on a marina.

"We are trying to create an area where there are shops and offices and leisure bits and pieces mixed in as well. The marina would be open to the public which would attract people to come and visit, as well as to live and work."

Under the plan, Gunners Park would be altered, leaving the west side of Barge Pier Road as a park, but also adding a cricket pitch and a green around the captain's house

after an archaeological investigation. A seafront cycle and walking path would also be added.

Mr Whistler said: "We are proposing to build about 300 houses and a lot of them will be around the marina and facing the existing park. We will be bringing in major housing developers to give a variety of styles."

Another bidder for the site, Hockley businessman Brian Efde, has previously revealed his plans for the barracks, to make the site into a catering college and school for hospitality training. Final bids for the site must be received by Friday.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.